Been talking with the handful of 2023 and 2024 prospects who were here for last night's game against Vanderbilt. Here's what those handful had to say when I spoke with them today.
2023 LB Ethan Crisp from Mount Juliet in the mid-state
Crisp, who was also here for the Pittsburgh game earlier this year, said he returned with two of his coaches and that it was a fun experience to see the coaches and environment once again. Wasn't something particular he wanted to see, but was happy to continue to talk with the coaches. Has been talking with the coaches quite a bit, particularly with Brian Jean-Mary and some with Tim Banks. Said it's been good this year as those relationships have grown and that he's excited to see where it goes.
Visited Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Georgia, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech this fall. Said Tennessee, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Auburn are standing out the most. Most schools tell him his position in college will be determined by how his body develops. Now that he's been able to see some schools, he's talking with his parents about narrowing it down and seeing what schools he likes the most. Thinking about dropping a list of top schools in January. Does not have a timeframe for when he wants to commit to a school.
Has liked what he's seen from Tennessee this year and that Josh Heupel "proved a lot of people wrong" by going 7-5 in his first season.
2024 LB Mason Curtis from Ensworth in Nashville
Enjoyed the game and took note of the team chemistry. Was impressed by how close the players were and was also impressed by the atmosphere. Got to talk to Josh Heupel and Heupel told him that they wanted him to come back up in January. Currently holds offers from Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Eastern Kentucky. Hoping to get an offer from Tennessee here soon because it would mean a lot since he's grown up in Tennessee. Plays outside linebacker in high school and thinks he has has a lot of flexibility with what position he can play. Will participate in a lot of camps this summer.
2023 LB Tymere Burton from Redan in Stone Mountain, Georgia
Told me "it was like a movie" and the "best experience ever." Enjoyed being around the coaches and players and being treated like family. Spoke with Brian Jean-Mary and thought he was real genuine. Jean-Mary is going to come see him at school this week and Burton thinks he may get an offer when he does. An offer from Tennessee would mean a lot because he grew up watching SEC football. Said it would be a dream for him.
Hearing from Georgia, Florida, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Coastal Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina, Notre Dame. Been to Georgia Tech, Georgia and Tennessee this fall. Thinks that schools like him off the edge. Didn't play this last season because of surgery to repair his meniscus.
Wants to get back up Tennessee "for sure." One of his current coaches played with Trevon Flowers in high school.
2023 ATH Ryne Shackelford from Keystone in LaGrange, Ohio
Told me that his trip was "a lot of fun" and the only bad part was the seven hour drive. "Everything else was awesome." Got to talk with Tennessee OC Alex Golesh and thought he was energetic and really funny. Doesn't yet have an offer from Tennessee and didn't really talk about a position, but said most schools are recruiting him as a WR because of his speed. Wants to make it back down for a junior day. Thought the gameday experience was awesome and said it "seems like everybody in Knoxville is friendly."
Hearing the most from West Virginia, Ohio State, Tennessee and Louisville right now. Was at a different game each week this fall. Mentioned Ohio State, Penn State, West Virginia and Tennessee as the ones with "awesome gameday vibes." Also went to Notre Dame, Purdue and Cincinatti when College Gameday was there.
2024 ATH Malcolm Simmons from Jonesboro in Jonesboro, Georgia
Said the trip was "great" and that Tennessee and Georgia (last week) are the only two schools he was able to visit this fall. Thought "the team was pretty good." Been talking with Rodney Garner because he's in charge of their area. Thinks that he'll play receiver in college because that's mainly what he's playing in high school.
2023 RB DeSean Bishop from nearby Karns High School was also in attendance. As was 2023 4-star WDE Mason Robinson from McDonough in Owings Mills, Maryland and Southern Miss JUCO DB commit Michael Caraway from Pearl River C.C.
And in case you missed it, we had updates on the visits of 2023 4-star QB Nico Iamaleava, 2023 4-star WR Carnell Tate and JUCO DB Marquise Gilbert, who was the lone official visitor.
2023 Florida QB Will Prichard was planning to be in town, but couldn't make it because finals are coming up and he chose not to come. Plans on being back up in January or February for a visit.
2023 LB Ethan Crisp from Mount Juliet in the mid-state
Crisp, who was also here for the Pittsburgh game earlier this year, said he returned with two of his coaches and that it was a fun experience to see the coaches and environment once again. Wasn't something particular he wanted to see, but was happy to continue to talk with the coaches. Has been talking with the coaches quite a bit, particularly with Brian Jean-Mary and some with Tim Banks. Said it's been good this year as those relationships have grown and that he's excited to see where it goes.
Visited Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Georgia, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech this fall. Said Tennessee, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Auburn are standing out the most. Most schools tell him his position in college will be determined by how his body develops. Now that he's been able to see some schools, he's talking with his parents about narrowing it down and seeing what schools he likes the most. Thinking about dropping a list of top schools in January. Does not have a timeframe for when he wants to commit to a school.
Has liked what he's seen from Tennessee this year and that Josh Heupel "proved a lot of people wrong" by going 7-5 in his first season.
2024 LB Mason Curtis from Ensworth in Nashville
Enjoyed the game and took note of the team chemistry. Was impressed by how close the players were and was also impressed by the atmosphere. Got to talk to Josh Heupel and Heupel told him that they wanted him to come back up in January. Currently holds offers from Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Eastern Kentucky. Hoping to get an offer from Tennessee here soon because it would mean a lot since he's grown up in Tennessee. Plays outside linebacker in high school and thinks he has has a lot of flexibility with what position he can play. Will participate in a lot of camps this summer.
2023 LB Tymere Burton from Redan in Stone Mountain, Georgia
Told me "it was like a movie" and the "best experience ever." Enjoyed being around the coaches and players and being treated like family. Spoke with Brian Jean-Mary and thought he was real genuine. Jean-Mary is going to come see him at school this week and Burton thinks he may get an offer when he does. An offer from Tennessee would mean a lot because he grew up watching SEC football. Said it would be a dream for him.
Hearing from Georgia, Florida, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Coastal Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina, Notre Dame. Been to Georgia Tech, Georgia and Tennessee this fall. Thinks that schools like him off the edge. Didn't play this last season because of surgery to repair his meniscus.
Wants to get back up Tennessee "for sure." One of his current coaches played with Trevon Flowers in high school.
2023 ATH Ryne Shackelford from Keystone in LaGrange, Ohio
Told me that his trip was "a lot of fun" and the only bad part was the seven hour drive. "Everything else was awesome." Got to talk with Tennessee OC Alex Golesh and thought he was energetic and really funny. Doesn't yet have an offer from Tennessee and didn't really talk about a position, but said most schools are recruiting him as a WR because of his speed. Wants to make it back down for a junior day. Thought the gameday experience was awesome and said it "seems like everybody in Knoxville is friendly."
Hearing the most from West Virginia, Ohio State, Tennessee and Louisville right now. Was at a different game each week this fall. Mentioned Ohio State, Penn State, West Virginia and Tennessee as the ones with "awesome gameday vibes." Also went to Notre Dame, Purdue and Cincinatti when College Gameday was there.
2024 ATH Malcolm Simmons from Jonesboro in Jonesboro, Georgia
Said the trip was "great" and that Tennessee and Georgia (last week) are the only two schools he was able to visit this fall. Thought "the team was pretty good." Been talking with Rodney Garner because he's in charge of their area. Thinks that he'll play receiver in college because that's mainly what he's playing in high school.
2023 RB DeSean Bishop from nearby Karns High School was also in attendance. As was 2023 4-star WDE Mason Robinson from McDonough in Owings Mills, Maryland and Southern Miss JUCO DB commit Michael Caraway from Pearl River C.C.
And in case you missed it, we had updates on the visits of 2023 4-star QB Nico Iamaleava, 2023 4-star WR Carnell Tate and JUCO DB Marquise Gilbert, who was the lone official visitor.
2023 Florida QB Will Prichard was planning to be in town, but couldn't make it because finals are coming up and he chose not to come. Plans on being back up in January or February for a visit.
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