Heralded running back Bryce Brown chooses Tennessee

Running back Bryce Brown, rated as the top prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com, announced today that he will play for Tennessee. Brown picked the Volunteers over a list of finalists that included LSU, Kansas State Miami and Oregon. Brown’s decision ends a months-long saga that began picking up steam when the talented running back from Wichita, Kan., opted not to make a decision on national signing day. Brown, who rushed for 1,807 yards and 29 touchdowns this year at Wichita East High School, had been committed to Miami (where his brother Arthur is a sophomore linebacker) since February 2008. Brown decided to delay his signing with the Hurricanes, instead wanting to take all five of his official visits. The Vols became a player for Brown late in the game. He visited Knoxville unofficially last week and did the official visit with Coach Lane Kiffin and the Vols this weekend, when Tennessee held its first scrimmage of the spring practice. There has also been widespread criticism of the relationship between Brown and his adviser, Brian Butler. At one point in the process, Butler was charging for updates on Brown’s recruitment on his Web site.