2014 - Dillon Bates

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Ponte Vedra Beach (Fla.) c/o '14 LB Dillon Bates adds offers today from Maryland and South Carolina. Six offers overall now. #Terps

per Brian Stumpf's Twitter

Rivals Bio

Scout Bio

ESPN Bio

[pitchcock]

I watched his film, and my immediate thought was that his fundamentals and instincts made him appear very similar to Matt Rolin...and it's only his Sophomore tape. This guy has the potential to be very good, with two more seasons of high school ball to go.

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7/24/2012: Dillon Bates unofficially visits South Carolina

per 247 Timeline

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Just finished visiting #usc had a great time #gamecocks #17 http://instagr.am/p/NeJClBnTVD/

per his Twitter

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Junior LB Dillon Bates (6-3 218) of Ponte Vedra, FL has offers from USC, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Maryland, UMass and Colgate among others. Clemson is also showing a lot of interest. "Hopefully that offer will come soon, "Bates said. Bates has already visited the two South Carolina schools and is reciprocating the interest. "I went to South Carolina earlier this summer and I really liked the campus and the coaches, " he said. "It felt like a nice place to be and somewhere I could spend the next four or five years of my life. Clemson is really similar. It's definitely a college campus and the center of everything up there. There isn't anything else other than the school so the fans really appreciate you." This season, Bates wants to attend games at USC, Tennessee and Oklahoma. "I may go to Clemson too," he added. He plans to narrow his list sometime this fall and said, "South Carolina would be a top choice for me." In his sophomore season he totaled 105 tackles with three sacks. Bates does not have any favorites.

Link: http://www.goupstate.com/article/201...616/-1/psports

[UTVOLS]

Vol legacy.

I think he will be a Vol, regardless of who is coaching. Bates, Kelly Jr, and the Berry brothers are all big time prospects that are legacies coming up in the next class.

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Junior LB Dillon Bates of Ponte Vedra, FL made his way to Columbia to attend the USC-Georgia contest and left impressed with the atmosphere. "That's the biggest game I've ever been a part of," Bates said. "The stadium was packed, the crowd was really loud and (USC) dominated both sides of the ball." Bates continues to show a lot of interest in the Gamecocks. "I still talk to Steve Spurrier, Jr. a lot and he is acting really interested in me," he said. "I really like them." Clemson has yet to offer but Bates feels it could come soon. "They're talking to me a lot and want me to come up for a game and the see the campus," he said. "It's a great school and a great program. It would really cool to get an offer from them." His most recent offers are from Vanderbilt and Northwestern who join USC, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Maryland, UMass and Colgate. Bates plans to attend games at Ohio State, Tennessee and Oklahoma this season. Through six games he leads his team and county in tackles. No favorites for Bates.

Link: http://www.goupstate.com/article/201...670/-1/PSPORTS

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Article via FV

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Steve Spurrier and Spurrier Jr. dropped by school of 2014 LB Dillon Bates today. #Gamecocks

per Chris Clark's Twitter

[ICEHOCEY77]

Bill Bates' son? Quite the family...

He and his wife Denise have five children: Dillon, Tanner, Graham, Brianna, and Hunter. Graham, Brianna, and Hunter are triplets, and Graham and Hunter are currently playing college football at Arkansas State University and Northwestern University, respectively.


Not sure how much a 'Vol legacy' he's going to end up being if the other brothers didn't go...?

[gotrice?]

Originally Posted by ICEHOCEY77

Bill Bates' son? Quite the family...

He and his wife Denise have five children: Dillon, Tanner, Graham, Brianna, and Hunter. Graham, Brianna, and Hunter are triplets, and Graham and Hunter are currently playing college football at Arkansas State University and Northwestern University, respectively.


Not sure how much a 'Vol legacy' he's going to end up being if the other brothers didn't go...?

Are either of those schools on Tennessee's level in terms of prestige? Please be realistic when you post facts. Players who went to those schools are normally never offered except for Kentucky and Vandy from the SEC. Bates being a legacy is big but the coaching upheaval should help us.

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Four-star linebacker Dillon Bates (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) looked athletic and like the prospect we think he is. He wasn’t perfect in coverage, but that’s too be expected. Tennessee (legacy), Michigan, Ohio State, Florida and others are in the mix

Link: http://247sports.com/Article/US-Army...rt-2013-109869

[Ericvol2096]

Dillon will be a Vol.

The 2014 class is full of Vol legacy's.
Wharton (committed)
Berry twins
Todd Kelly Jr
Dillon Bates
Neiko Creamer

and a few more...

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Bates, the son of three-time Super Bowl champion and former Cowboys safety Bill Bates, was especially dominant during one-on-one drills, a difficult task for any linebacker against speedy running backs running right at him.

The four-star prospect will have many options in recruiting. His father played at Tennessee, and Texas A&M, Notre Dame and Ohio State have been mentioned.

Surely, SEC and ACC schools closer to home will get involved, especially after hearing reports of Bates from the Army Combine.

"Bates had an amazing combine working out as a linebacker," Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell said.

"You can tell his coverage skills in space from playing safety translate closer to the line of scrimmage, but his instincts are what separate him. He has a feel for the game and for what his opponent is going to do, and he jumps routes and closes on the ball as well as anybody.

"He had a near interception on his first rep, a pick on the second I saw, and after that there were many pass breakups. He has the bloodlines, of course, and maybe that's where the instincts come from, but he also has a great frame, good speed, and a year from now he'll be a good-size linebacker who can cover wideouts."

Link: http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1457379

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Dillon Bates wants to visit Ohio State, Tennessee, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Florida this spring

per Josh Blakenship's Twitter

Class of 2014 LB Dillon Bates of Ponte Vedra, FL already had offers from USC, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Maryland, UMass and Colgate before adding Florida, West Virginia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Miami and North Carolina to the mix. Bates has 23 offers in all. USC recruiter Steve Spurrier Jr. was by his school to see him Wednesday. "He just came by to talk some football," said Bates. "Coach Spurrier (Jr.) just likes to stop by and see me when he is the area. We've got a good relationship." Bates does not have any favorites but does have a list in mind. "I haven't really narrowed my list, per se, but I've got about seven or eight schools in mind that seem to be showing me the most interest," he said. "South Carolina is definitely one of those schools." Bates recently participated in the Army All-America combine winning the defensive MVP. He was selected to play in next year's event. This spring he plans to visit USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Florida. "I want to see as many schools as I can," said Bates.

Link: http://www.goupstate.com/article/201...722/-1/PSPORTS

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LB Dillon Bates of Ponte Vedra, FLhas added Texas and UCLA to his offer sheet while gaining interest from Southern Cal. The increased attention has him reevaluating his future. "I kind of had an idea (who my favorites were) but now that these new schools are offering and showing some interest, I want to see how it plays out," said Bates. "South Carolina is still definitely involved." Bates continues to speak with Steve Spurrier, Jr. and would like to visit USC soon. "If I can't make it up there for a junior day, I'll probably go during the spring," he said. He has visited Tennessee and Miami for junior days and heads to Florida this weekend. Bates other offers include USC, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Maryland, UMass,Colgate , Florida, West Virginia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Miami and North Carolina.

Link: http://www.goupstate.com/article/201...929/-1/PSPORTS

[Ericvol2096]

VQ...this whole different kind of mentality is a common theme with TN recruits this cycle.

"It's a whole different kind of mentality. I feel like there's a different kind of mentality," Bates said comparing the two visits. "I feel like there's a lot more energy and a lot more excitement coming in with the new coaches. A whole new program, almost. It was really good to see."

"I was just looking forward to meeting the new coaches mostly and then seeing the finished facilities," Bates said. ?That was kind of a big thing for me, to see what they look like and see where I would spend most of my time in college.

"It's top-notch facilities. You can't get any better anywhere you go so it's just really impressive."

"We played a few games. I was able to talk to him and coach Jancek and him for a little bit in his office, just talking about scheming and how I'd play in it," Bates offered.

"They've been telling me that they want me to lead the 2014 class with what I bring to the table in terms of leadership and stuff like that. Just knowing that is really kind of humbling," Bates said.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker said the Vols, Florida and Notre Dame are recruiting him the hardest early on

He also noted he'd be back in Knoxville for a spring practice or possibly the spring football game.

The coaches weren't the only ones recruiting him during the weekend in Knoxville. Tennessee commit and fellow Vol legacy Vic Wharton was talking up the Vols to the son of former Vol linebacker Bill Bates.

"We were playing cornhole and hanging out and he was telling me how all the legacies, me and Neiko Creamer, could all play together. I've been talking to those guys and it was good to put a face to a name," Bates said.

[elcid99]

Being a Vol legacy seems important to him, as it should. I know his dad & SOS are friends, so maybe we have a slight chance here. He is a solid prospect.

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One player who figures to benefit from a move away from the secondary is Ponte Vedra (Fla.) Nease prospect Dillon Bates.

Bates is the son of former Dallas Cowboy player Bill Bates and was named linebacker MVP at the U.S. Army National Combine in January.

Bates is listed at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds and was rated as the No. 58 player in the Rivals100.

Farrell said Bates is among the players who will be easy to project to a different position.

"It is simple for Bates; he will get too big to play safety," Farrell said. "He has good coverage skills in space from playing safety, but his game translates better as an inside player going forward.

"He has good size, a good frame to build on and good speed. With the evolution of the tight end position, he will be in a good place to play down the seam or support the run."

Bates has embraced the move into the middle.

"Perfecting the fundamentals and never taking any reps off is something I take great pride in," he told Rivals.com. "(My family) always tells me to better myself as a player. Find ways to separate myself from the next linebacker out there."

Link: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com...3571&PT=4&PR=2

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Video via Rivals

Four-star outside linebacker Dillon Bates is heading to Tuscaloosa on April 6 to check out the Tide. Bates doesn't claim a leader at this point. Texas has offered to go with several others. However, the SEC could be home to the tough defender, especially with his father, Bill Bates, having played at Tennessee. New coach Butch Jones is working hard to get the Vols legacy to Knoxville.

Link: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com...7318&PT=4&PR=2

Another linebacker with great size, Bates showed off his skills in the coverage game on a couple of different occasions Saturday. On one play he did an excellent job defending a smaller, shiftier wide receiver on a seam route. Bates ran with him stride for stride and turned his head just in time to make a play on the ball, deflecting the pass and forcing an incompletion. As he continues to develop his football instincts, Bates will turn similar plays into interceptions.

Link: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com...7300&PT=4&PR=2

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Four-star athlete Dillon Bates of Ponte Vedra (Fla.) High has little left to prove on the high school football field, but being the son of longtime NFL player Bill Bates brings extra expectations.

Bates arrived at the fifth stop of the Rivals Camp Series presented by Under Armour outside of Orlando with the mindset to prove any remaining naysayers wrong. The No. 58 player in the Rivals100 did just that, leaving with an invitation to the Rivals Five-Star Challenge and being named the Rivals.com Recruit of the Week.

"I have heard some people say all my offers are from my dad having a name," Bates said. "I want to prove myself -- that I can play with and I can compete with all these national players -- and earn those four or five stars.

"When people say that, I don't take it too much to heart but I just feel like that makes me work harder and try to make me prove myself. It makes me be a better player, not just to make myself a good player but the best player I can be, and that all starts in the weight room and then out on the field."

Dillon's father is a three-time Super Bowl-winning safety who played 15 seasons in the National Football League. His hits are still on NFL Films highlight reels.

The elder Bates said his son has earned the attention and that his reputation does not overshadow what happens on the field or in recruiting.

"I hope it helps him a little but I have had two other boys go on to play college football and when they were getting recruited the name didn't help that much, so it is what you do on the field," Bill Bates said.

The older Bates brothers played at Arkansas St. and Northwestern. Neither was recruited or ranked as highly as Dillon.

Rivals.com regional analyst Kynon Codrington was extremely impressed with Bates at the event.

"He was the best and most complete linebacker here," Codrington said. "He was good in pass coverage, and we know he can hit. Really, the only question about him was the coverage, but he really impressed everyone. He can stay on the field on third downs in a nickel or dime set and not be a liability.

"What separates Dillon from a lot of players are his instincts and knowledge of the game."

According to Dillon Bates, living the life of a professional player's son was a part of his development and one major point that his father's name helped in influencing his game.

"I don't really remember a time I didn't know football," he said. "Growing up with that background and knowing football has really helped me from an IQ standpoint and having a mentality and work ethic that I got from my dad."

His ability -- and intangibles -- has given Bates an offer list as long as any player's in the country.

His decision is not expected soon, and it is not as cut and dry as following in his father's footsteps by becoming a legacy player at Tennessee.

Bill Bates said the new Volunteers staff has made his alma mater a much more realistic landing spot than it has been under Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley.

"I love that school and everything that Coach (Butch) Jones is doing," the elder Bates said. "(If it were Phil) Fulmer - yes. So many things have happened the last few years, I wouldn't have wanted to push Dillon to go there, but Coach Jones has done a great job and they are recruiting the heck out of him."

The job that Jones is doing has not gone unnoticed by Dillon, either.

"I'm definitely taking a little harder look into Tennessee," he said. "With the history my dad has there and with all of the other players that have had dads there in this class, too, I am definitely taking a hard look at Tennessee."

Both Bateses maintain that the process is far from over, and that is the way each wants it.

"You only go through this once," Bill said. "Some of the greatest memories I have are when I was getting recruited.

"I have always told him to enjoy the process but that eventually you'll get to the point where you have to commit and decide where you are going to go to college."

Dillon Bates has not named any official leaders, but he spoke at the Rivals Camp Series presented by Under Armour event about Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Texas and Oklahoma, as well as Tennessee.

If he were to step farther out of his father's shadow and go to archrival Alabama, it would be OK with Bill.

"I will be the first one to say 'Roll Tide' if my son is playing for that team," Bill said. "That is just the way it goes, and it would be the same from UCLA to USC, South Carolina, Florida, Notre Dame to whatever team has been recruiting him, and all the big dogs are on him.

"I want him to enjoy the process, and wherever he decides to go I will support him as best we can."

With nearly a calendar year until National Signing Day, Bill Bates and legions of fans from major college football programs will have to wait on Dillon.

"This whole thing is wide open," Dillon said. "I am still trying to visit as many of these places as I can, so I'm not 100 percent on where I am going to go.

Link: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com...7254&PT=4&PR=2