2017 Recruiting Class

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“This offer means so much to me especially because it's my first. I’m very excited,” the 2017 prospect said.

Jones' film impressed Tennessee’s staff before he got on campus and it was Tennessee’s turn to impress the defensive lineman once he made it to Knoxville.

“It was great. I really loved the environment here. It was beautiful,” Jones said. “It’s really nice here. I really enjoyed myself.”

Jones spent time with Tennessee head coach Butch Jones, assistant coaches Willie Martinez, Steve Stripling and several other coaches and found that he fit in with what they like.

“They are really caring. I just really enjoyed myself here,” Jones said. “I could definitely see myself coming here.

“They are like a family here. Everyone really cares about each other here and I really like it.”

Jones had taken just a few visits before his trip to Knoxville, but after spending the day on Rocky Top the Vols had set the standard high for any future journeys.

“It really raised the bar, to be honest,” Jones said. “It’s really nice here.”

One of his favorite parts of the visit was meeting the Vols’ head coach.

“He’s really nice. I really like him. He’s a great head coach. It’s a winning program here,” Jones said.

-VQ

Brandon Jones, Dacula , Strong-Side Defensive End

 

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2019 recruit:

 

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Is this tOfficial @WestEndVol talks to himself thread?

 

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Thanks for ruining my post streak I had going

 

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Lawrenceville, Ga., offensive lineman Tony Gray already had a pretty good idea about the Vols when he took in Tennessee's junior day on Saturday.

For the 6-4, 275 pound Gray, Saturday's visit to Rocky Top was his third.

“Today was great,” Gray said. “I got a chance to talk with coach Butch (Jones) again. I wanted to get back up here to Tennessee and see what's going on.”

So what is it that keeps bringing the Peach State prospect back to Knoxville?

“It's the environment. It's the people around here. It's a great environment and I like it,” Gray said.

“Coach Mo. I talk with him a lot. Our relationship is really starting to grow. He keeps everything with you very real.”

Gray also is hearing about the Vols from a couple of recent signees including Nigel Warrior who he talks to some. Gray hopes to continue his road trips this spring with a trip to the Magnolia state and a possible return trip to Knoxville.

“I will probably go to see Ole Miss next,” Gray said. “I will be back up here sometime during the spring to watch them practice. That's important. I want to see how everything goes in terms of how they coach you and how the players are, stuff like that.

“I am looking for home. I'm looking for a place with good academics and where players graduate. That's important to me.”

Gray said he has no timeframe for a decision. He is a Rivals 4-star and the 117th ranked player in the country.

-VQ

Rivals

 

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Thanks for ruining my post streak I had going

Did you really have every other post in thread?

Even that slacker @UTVolCountry hasnt been here ?

 

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He probably has a few posts in here but not many. My brother really doesn't follow recruiting, so I always have to keep him updated on everything.

 

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“It’s the same as every time,” Hayden said. “I enjoyed looking at the facilities, getting to talk to coach G and hanging out with him and then talking to coach Jones a little bit, too. It was a good trip.

“That was my first time talking to Alvin (Kamara) about Tennessee and I got to talk to (Todd Kelly Jr.) for a good minute because we played against each other in high school. He talked to me about the life up here and playing football and what he’s majoring in and stuff like that. That was cool.”

Hayden, winner of Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball in Div. II, Class A this year, said hearing from Kelly’s perspective was helpful.

“Especially talking to TK, he told me that when he was going through the process he thought he wanted to get away and not follow in his father’s footsteps,” Hayden said. “But, he told me that you can create your own legacy there, too. His father played there but he’s creating his own legacy.

“That was important to hear since he’s going through and he’s a legacy and so it was special to hear about it from him.”

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound West Tennessee standout from St. George’s in Germantown now has 12 offers, including recent ones from South Carolina, Arizona and Missouri.

“I remember when I just had three offers after the football season and then for me to be up to 12, it’s just really amazing,” Hayden said.

Even with his Tennessee connections, Hayden is taking his time and plans to visit more schools moving forward.

"I’m just taking my time right now. I want to make a decision by the beginning of my season so I can get it over with and I don’t have to focus on that so much during the season.”

-VQ

Rivals

 

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