Jarvis Webster: A sleeper from Tennessee

Last season, the Tennessee Tigers featured Connecticut-signee Michael Bradley and Clemson-bound Cory Stanton. With those two moving on, it seems the next player from the Tigers to make an impact at the next level will be Jarvis Webster.

Webster, a 6-foot-4 wing from Columbia Central (Tenn.) is one of the top 2012 recruits in the state of Tennessee, and has been playing well on the spring AAU circuit after an impressive high school season. He helped lead Columbia Central to the playoffs for the first time in seven years, and then led the Tigers to the finals of the AAU Super Regional in Atlanta.

“He has a shot to be really good,” Tigers head coach Chip Smith said. “But he has to want it. Right now, he is taking off too many plays. At times, he is really good but other times he disappears.

“[He is a] great kid and we are going to push him to achieve his best. I hope that it works.”

Smith said Webster has to play his hardest every time out in order to reach his potential. Once he does that, Webster will be a legitimate high-major player.

“Consistency is the key,” he said. “He must understand that to whom much is given, much is required. If he complements his talent with the appropriate commitment, he has a shot. We will do all that we can to assist him.”

According to a source close to Webster, the recruiting picture is completely unclear. Several schools have inquired about him, but they want to see if he performs on a consistent basis this summer.

“He is mainly mid-major right now,” the source said. “However, we have started some discussions with some bigger schools to get him on their radar to look at in July.”

At this point, VCU and Belmont are two of the schools showing the most interest in Webster.

“We hope to add many more as we head through the summer,” the source said.