It’s been interesting the past two days to see former Tigers Chris Powers — yes, the tight end who caught the game-winning touchdown pass to beat Tennessee in 1996 — and former offensive lineman Jeff King attend U of M practices at Christian Brothers High.

Their observations?

Powers was impressed with the play of the quarterbacks, especially the arm strength of backup Will Hudgens. Powers, an airline pilot, said he didn’t know the Tigers were working out at CBHS, but noticed as he drove past the stadium on Walnut Grove that the group practicing was much bigger than high school players.

King, who played from 1991 to ‘93, marveled at the overall size of the team, joked he’d have been one of the smallest on the offensive line. King played on the ‘93 team that featured an impressive array of talent, including quarterback Steve Matthews and receivers Mac Cody and Isaac Bruce.

As for Tiger coach Tommy West, he seemed particularly pleased that his receivers, probably the strongest bunch in Conference USA, and quarterbacks Arkelon Hall and Will Hudgens were in synch Wednesday.

THE BIG STORY

Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning, according to The State newspaper in Columbia, spent more time than he cared to Tuesday smothering a firestorm he contended was sparked by “cutting a joke” about a couple of University of Alabama recruits. Clemson plays the Tide on Saturday.

After Monday night’s practice, Koenning responded to a question about Crimson Tide star freshman Julio Jones by saying he had seen Jones and fellow blue-chip receiver B.J. Scott get in Cadillac Escalades on separate occasions — a shot at Alabama’s recruiting methods.

Koenning sought out reporters later Monday night, suggesting he had been “kidding around,” but the damage had been done.

The comment rippled through the state of Alabama and led Scott’s prep coach, Vigor High’s Kerry Stevenson, to tell the Mobile Press-Register that Koenning “better not come back on campus.”

Koenning said Tuesday he has no idea what vehicles those players drive.

“I’ve had occasions in my past where I knew another coach was doing something wrong, and I communicated with that coach,” Koenning said. “So I would never throw somebody under the bus like that.

“I thought I was so off the wall that I thought it was tongue-in-cheek and even went back to make sure that those around knew I was joking.”

The involved parties did not share that interpretation.

Stevenson, in an interview with The State later Tuesday, said he received an early-morning call from Scott, who could not believe the accusation.

Koenning’s visit to Vigor happened about the time of the school prom, Stevenson said, and Scott had rented a sport-utility vehicle — a GMC Envoy, he thought — to drive to the event. Scott’s car, a 1980s Cutlass, was stolen recently, Stevenson said.

Stevenson said Koenning returned his phone call late Tuesday morning — after Stevenson spoke to the Press-Register — and Stevenson accepted Koenning’s explanation.

Asked if Koenning was again welcome on campus, Stevenson replied: “I can’t count the number of times the good Lord has forgiven me. … I took it for what it is. That’s just Vic being sarcastic like Vic always is.”

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said he has never had a problem with Alabama or Auburn in 10 years recruiting against those schools.

“Here’s a school (Clemson) that’s had zero bad blood and has recruited that state actively,” Bowden said. “That’s why I was kind of surprised it snowballed and got the momentum it did. We didn’t even recruit him — Julio Jones. So that shows you how insignificant the statement is.”

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