2017 Recruiting Class

"I liked the environment," the 6-0, 185 pound Jordan said of Tennessee. "It was real big. I liked how the coaches and players got along and bonded. It was real big. Just like a family. It was definitely bigger than most schools. The fanbase likes football. "It was mind blowing and big. It's a lot to take in."

"Coaches have been saying they only got two running backs on campus right now," Jordan said. "They been saying they want me to come in and make a big impact. I think I could play early because they don't have a starter right now. They just lost two big players."

"North Carolina is telling me the same thing," Jordan said. "They only have one running back there. With him being the only guy there, I'd have the chance to compete with the other guys coming in."

"Every where I go you are going to have to compete," Jordan said. "They say they need people to come in and contribute and help produce." As for a decision, things are happening and likely sooner rather than later. "It's kind of even right now," Jordan said. "I have to go home and think on that. It shouldn't take a while. Probably this week, I'll have something."

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The highlights...
- He's down to Tennessee and South Carolina. Visited Georgia on Friday and enjoyed it but is down to Tennessee and South Carolina. Said both are better fits for him.
- Really enjoyed his visit to Tennessee but isn't naming a leader. Vols and South Carolina are even.
- He's waiting for National Signing Day to make his decision. Probably just gonna put two hats on the table and pick one. Nothing too fancy.
- He likes Butch Jones, Bob Shoop, Steve Stripling and Tommy Thigpen and said he "definitely" could see himself playing for them.
- Hosted by Darrell Taylor this weekend. He had a good time.

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"I wasn't sure what I was doing," Jordan said. "We were in the airport for a long time and we sat down and Tennessee came out on top. They just made the most sense for all of us and what I'm looking for." "I feel like Tennessee is home," Jordan said. "I can get better there and they are going to push me to be better as a player and as a man while I'm there."

"Tennessee is a high level of football," Jordan said. "They are a football school and I want to be around people that make football important."

Jordan was hosted by fellow running back John Kelly. The two bonded quickly and the veteran Kelly made sure Jordan knew they needed help in the backfield. "The players I was around just made it feel like they were going to help me," Jordan said. "I think that says a lot when he is also plays my position and he was pushing me. He said he will be there to help me and I'm ready to go out there and tear it up."

He'll have the chance to get coached up by running backs coach Robert Gillespie. He likes the demeanor that the charismatic Gillespie brings to the table. "I like his personality and how he does things," Jordan said. "He is going to tell you how he feels and he isn't going to sugar coat things. I've see some videos of how he coaches and I like how the intensity of him. I can just feel it."

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Murphy, the highest-rated prospect among the four wide receivers in Tennessee’s class, went on his official visit to Knoxville the weekend of Jan. 13 and continued to indicate after the visit that he’s still firmly committed to the Vols.

“I’m set on them. … I don’t think nothing could change my mind, really,” he told GoVols247 last week.

But the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Murphy also didn’t close the door on Ole Miss, saying last week that he’s “just going on the visit to see how it is.” Sources have said the Rebels are cautiously optimistic about their chances of being able to steal him away from Tennessee going into this weekend.

“They’re trying to get me down there, but I don’t know if I’m going to go or not,” Murphy said last week. “I don’t know what made them come back (to me). Since they got the new receivers coach (Jacob Peeler), he said that he’s been looking at me, that he wants me to be a part of their team. That’s the only (other) team I’m hearing from.”

Holding onto Murphy has remained a priority for Tennessee in recent weeks, but it’s worth noting that sources have continued to indicate that he still has work to do academically.

The risk of Murphy failing to qualify academically was serious enough for Murphy to acknowledge last week that he would “consider looking into some jucos,” although he said he feels “confident I’ll make it.”

At this point, it still appears there's a good chance Tennessee will be able to keep Murphy in its class. But his possible visit to Ole Miss is at least worth watching this weekend.

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