Moeller's Childress is Pearl's first signee at Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - Bruce Pearl&#39;s first signee at Tennessee is Ryan Childress from Ohio prep power Moeller High in Cincinnati, the university announced Thursday.<br> <br> The 6-foot-8, 225-pound power forward averaged 16 points and 8.7 rebounds in leading the Crusaders to a 22-4 record and the Division I state final four this past season.<br> <br> ``I am really excited about having Ryan be my first signee at Tennessee,&#39;&#39; said Pearl, who succeeded fired coach Buzz Peterson on March 28 after taking 12th-seed Wisconsin-Milwaukee on a surprising run through the NCAA tournament.<br> <br> ``He embodies so much of what I feel a player should possess. He&#39;s physically and mentally tough and he has the physical size to complement our roster. Ryan has worked extremely hard at his game and he wanted very badly to play for us at the University of Tennessee.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> A three-year starter, Childress was a second-team selection on The Associated Press Southwestern Ohio All-District teams.<br> <br> ``The coaching staff was a huge sell for me,&#39;&#39; Childress said. ``I love the coaches and the players there. The chance to play at the University of Tennessee with all of their tradition and in the SEC was just something that I could not pass up.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Pearl has convinced fall signees Matthew Dotson and Damion Harris to play for the Volunteers, but lost two others recruited by Peterson in Tennessee Tyler Smith and Jamont Gordon.