Linebacker Khalid Henderson de-committed from Tennessee on Sunday night after saying he was encouraged to look at other schools by Volunteers coach Derek Dooley.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder from Pebblebrook High School had been committed to Tennessee since last summer. Everything was going smooth until about a week after he took his official visit with the Volunteers on Dec. 2. Henderson said he got a call from Dooley.

Derek Dooley has parted way with two Georgia recruits within the last month (AP photo)

“Coach Dooley said there is a ‘possibility’ you might not be coming to Tennessee,” Henderson told the AJC. “He said you have two options: ‘You can stay committed to us, wait it out and see what other players do. Or you can de-commit and try to get some attention from other schools but that doesn’t mean you can’t …

RB Imani Cross was committed to Tennessee for nearly a year before the two sides recently parted ways (Photo courtesy of 247Sports)

Ex-Tennessee RB recruit Imani Cross said he has “no hard feelings” after his recent separation from the Volunteers, and has set up at least two official visits with other schools in January.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder from North Hall High School was the Tennessee’s first commitment for its 2012 recruiting class, picking the Volunteers last February among 15 early offers, which included South Carolina and Georgia Tech. Cross is ranked as the No. 19 RB in the nation by ESPN.

However, the yearlong courtship ended after a recent conversation between Cross and Tennessee recruiting coordinator Terry Joseph. What happened? We’ll let Tim Cross, the recruit’s father, explain:

“After being committed for 11 months, the reason the recruiter Terry Joseph told Imani and then Derek Dooley told me was that, ‘they hired a new RB coach from South …

UGA offers ex-Florida RB commit Mike Davis (Photo by US Army All-America Bowl)

UGA landed the No. 1 running back in the nation with Keith Marshall on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs have also entered the sweepstakes for the player who many consider the No. 1 running back in Georgia.

Stephenson High School’s Mike Davis, who de-committed from Florida on Sunday after being pledged to the Gators for nearly a year, was offered by UGA on Tuesday.

UGA recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner called Stephenson’s coaches on Monday night to confirm that Davis de-committed from Florida. Garner showed up the next day at the Stone Mountain school to offer Davis in person.

“Georgia saw Mike as a junior and they were slow to react,” Stephenson assistant Corey Johnson said. “They said now that they had a second chance, they were going to move very fast with a scholarship offer and they did. Mike was excited and thankful for the offer.”

Around 30 colleges have inquired about Davis since he …

When asked to rate the visit on a scale of 1-10, Tomlinson said, “I’d say an 8 or 9. It probably would’ve been a 10 if I had gotten up there on Friday. But the Saturday experience was a great experience.”

The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder, who is one of the state’s Top 5 uncommitted prospects, said he was unable to make it on Friday because of wrestling practice at school (he’s a two-time state champion in the heavyweight division) and he was going to watch Eagles Landing Christian Academy in football’s playoff semifinals (wasn’t able to go after all).

Tomlinson was the big man on campus this weekend at Georgia Tech, which also welcomed QB Dennis Andrews of Tallahassee, Fla., and Allatoona High School RB Miles Jones. Andrews …

Dooley now will be joined on that climb by Quenshaun Watson.

The Clarke Central High School running back privately committed to Tennessee last week and went public with it on Monday. The 5-foot-9, 181-pound Watson picked the Volunteers over Indiana, and also had serious interest from Arkansas.

Is this the beginning of a Clarke Central-to-Tennessee pipeline? Dooley grew up in Athens while his father Vince Dooley coached at UGA. The younger Dooley is a graduate of Clarke Central High School, which also sent a player last year to the Volunteers, offensive lineman Alan Posey.

Curiously, neither Watson nor Posey was recruited by UGA, which is located only a couple of miles from Clarke …

Now you can get a good look at English transplant who is causing such a stir in college football’s recruiting circles. We’re talking about Francis Kallon, the 6-foot-6, 250-pound defensive end from Central Gwinnett High School. He’s committed to Georgia Tech.

Kallon, who is ranked as a 4-star recruit by both Scout and ESPN, recently had a highlight video of his senior year – his only year of playing organized football – put on YouTube (see video at bottom).

Up until now, only college scouts and high school coaches had seen the video. What did they think? Central Gwinnett coach Todd Wofford paused before answering. “You wouldn’t believe it if I said it. I … don’t want to put that kind of pressure on him.”

Georgia Tech DE commit Francis Kallon of Central Gwinnett High School (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

You can take a look at the video yourself below. One important thing to keep in …

UGA is now a serious contender for AJC Super 11 DE Jordan Jenkins after his official visit with the Bulldogs this past weekend (AJC)

Jordan Jenkins, the 5-star defensive end from Harris County High School, liked his official visit to UGA so much that the Bulldogs may be sneaking up to join his longtime frontrunners, Alabama and Florida.

It was some surprising good news for UGA, which had been given up as all but dead in the fierce recruiting battle for the 6-foot-3, 250-pounder who is considered one of the nation’s top overall athletes. Jenkins nearly canceled his official visit to UGA on two separate occasions before finally making the recruiting trip this past weekend.

UGA’s chances for the AJC Super 11 selection who is ranked as the state’s No.1 prospect by at least one recruiting publication have dramatically improved.

“Jordan told somebody that Alabama and Florida are …

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson (AJC)

How do you know which prospects are a top recruiting priority? By where a college head coach appears during his team’s off week.

Georgia Tech was off last weekend, and Paul Johnson spent a day at Central Gwinnett High School. He was there to see the No. 1 commitment of Georgia Tech’s 2012 recruiting class, defensive end Francis Kallon.

Johnson and recruiting coordinator Andy McCollum stopped by the high school early in the day to talk with Kallon’s coaches, then returned later in the evening to closely observe Kallon in Central Gwinnett’s loss to Grayson.

“Coach Johnson was really impressed with Francis, with how hard he has worked to learn football and get better,” Central Gwinnett coach Todd Wofford told the AJC. “He wanted to let Francis know that he was really proud of his season.”

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Kallon played only his senior season of high school football after moving to the Atlanta area from England. Last …

Raphael Kirby won't be able to make an official visit to UGA but is still considering the Bulldogs (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

Raphael Kirby, one of Georgia’s top linebackers, said it was between UGA and USC for his fifth and final visit.

He ended up picking neither. At least for now. It could change.

The top prospect from Stephenson High School told the AJC on Tuesday night that he will only take four recruiting trips – he has already been to Vanderbilt, with upcoming visits planned for Miami, Florida and South Carolina.

“Yes, more than likely it will be those four,” Kirby said. “I mean, I’m not … I don’t know, I don’t know. I will probably take four visits, but I’m not sure.”

The recruiting process has been grueling on Kirby, who pledged to Miami last spring and insists he’s still committed to the Hurricanes – but began looking at options after Miami was accused of massive NCAA violations in August. Kirby’s attention has been divided between …

“I enjoyed Auburn but my jacket stays yellow … I’m committed to Georgia Tech,” Francis Kallon told the AJC.

Kallon is a 6-foot-6, 250-pound defensive end from Central Gwinnett High School who is in his first year of playing organized football after moving from London, England. He committed to Georgia Tech last spring, and had only been to Tech games this fall before going to see Auburn this past weekend.

“It was a really, really good game at Auburn,” Kallon said. “Auburn was big. It was very big. It was a lot of stuff to take in. It was a lot of stuff to take in at once. It was like a sea of orange.”

“I met Auburn’s coach [Gene Chizik]. He said he was amazed at my tape. He was happy I was there and that I could see what Auburn …

Rogers is on the brink of stardom at Tennessee, if he is not there already. He is Tennessee’s No. 1 offensive weapon, leading the Volunteers in receptions and receiving yards.

• Here’s our “Armchair Quarterback” question for college football recruiting: Should UGA have presented a package deal – like Tennessee — and offered Calhoun High School quarterback Nash Nance to secure Rogers?

Flashback to 2010: Rogers was an AJC Super 11 selection and the state’s No. 1 overall prospect. The Calhoun High School wide receiver had been committed to the Bulldogs for seven months, while Nance was pledged to Vanderbilt, when they both were lured to …

However, the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder was shifted to quarterback after his team’s 0-2 start and King accepted the call, leading Dunwoody to three straight wins.

Dunwoody plays Southwest DeKalb at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (televised live on WSB-TV’s digital channel 2.2 and at wsbtv.com).

The future Tennessee defender is fine with playing quarterback because “the team is winning ballgames” and said his college coaches approve of it. “They like that I’m athletic enough to play different positions, especially QB. Tennessee’s coaches don’t have any problems with it. They want the best for my team, and right now that’s me playing quarterback.”

Tennessee LB commit Justin King of Dunwoody HS (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

The original plan was for King to play linebacker and running back. “Having Justin at quarterback gives us a big-time weapon at the …

This is a good story. Refreshing.

Francis Kallon, the star defensive end from England who is playing his first year of high school football, didn’t go to UGA last Saturday because he had to take the SAT.

What’s really interesting about that is that the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has already has an outstanding SAT score of 1,530. But his parents, who wouldn’t allow Francis to play football unless he made straight A’s, want a better score.

“I think his parents think the higher he scores on the SAT, the more money he will get for his football scholarship — but he’s already getting a full scholarship,” Central Gwinnett High School coach Todd Wofford said with a laugh. “But hey, you have to admire how his parents stress academics.”

UGA is the latest …

The mean and nasty offensive lineman nicknamed “The Finisher” got his “dream offer” on Saturday.

UGA coach Mark Richt offered an early football scholarship to Walton High School’s Brandon Kublanow, who is likely the state’s No. 1 junior prospect on the offensive line. UGA offered the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Kublanow at the center and offensive guard position.

“As soon as we got to Georgia on Saturday, they said Coach Richt wants to see you,” Kublanow told the AJC. “My mom and I talked to Coach Richt for about 45 minutes. At the end of the conversation, [Richt] said ‘you have an offer from us and we really want you to come here.’

“I was a little surprised. Some people had told me that I might be getting an offer, but I was still surprised. And …

Thomas is a 6-foot-6, 240-pounder from DeKalb’s Columbia High School who was also hearing from Auburn, Tennessee and Alabama.

“South Carolina is getting a kid with a lot of upside,” Columbia coach Mario Allen told the AJC. “He’s still learning football and he’s still growing. But I think he will definitely be a kid who can probably help South Carolina in his first year. He’s 6-6, close to 6-7, and can run. He has a dominating presence on the football. South Carolina is getting a kid who will work hard and is going to come out and compete on a daily basis.”

Last week, Thomas was matched up against Cedar Grove offensive tackle Brandon Greene, who has …

A few days ago, M.L. King High School wide receiver Blake Tibbs committed to UGA. Tibbs was asked about bringing along another top UGA recruiting target, M.L. King defensive end Kenderius Whitehead.

“I’d love for him to play at Georgia with me,” Tibbs said. “I think he was thinking about committing to Georgia anyways. Now with me doing it, I think it will motivate him a little bit more.”

Whitehead has been leaning to UGA since the summer, but had North Carolina move ahead of the Bulldogs after an official visit with the Tar Heels a couple of weeks ago. “North Carolina actually is my top school,” Whitehead told the AJC.

However, when asked to compare his top two schools, Whitehead shifted …

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end from Harris County High School made an unofficial visit to Alabama last weekend, and is headed to Florida this Saturday. Alabama and Florida are the co-leaders for Jenkins, followed by Auburn, UGA and Tennessee.

“I think after this Florida visit, I think his announcement is nearing,” his father, Ronald Jenkins, told the AJC. “I anticipate it definitely before the end of the season, in my opinion, or right after the end of the season. I really think he’s getting closer to his decision.

“Next Saturday at Florida is going to go a long way in his decision process, even though February is a long ways away. The visit to Florida will help clear his head on a few things.”

Harris, an AJC …

M.L. King WR Blake Tibbs (left) committed to UGA and hopes his high school teammate, DE Kenderius Whitehead, will follow him to the Bulldogs (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

Saturday was a good day at the office for UGA.

The Bulldogs beat Ole Miss on the road in the afternoon, and picked up a commitment from one of the state’s top wide receivers later that night:

Blake Tibbs of M.L. King High School picked UGA over North Carolina, Southern Miss and Kentucky.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Tibbs is commit No. 15 for UGA’s 2012 college football recruiting class.

“I watched college football all day on Saturday, started thinking about recruiting, and UGA kept popping up in my head,” Tibbs told the AJC. “I was thinking about all the boys in my area [Atlanta area] that Georgia is recruiting … and that if we all go down to Georgia together, we can make an impact there.”

Tibbs called UGA’s Mark Richt to inform him of his decision on Saturday evening and got his voicemail. Then Tibbs …

It the first offer for Brandon Kublanow, the 6-foot-3, 290-pounder from Walton High School who is an early favorite to be the state’s No. 1 college prospect along the offensive line for 2013. Kublanow is a UGA fan and the Bulldogs could be the next to offer.

“The Finisher” earned his nickname after devastating and dominating blocking skills were caught on tape by Rivals and Scout at last month’s Corky Kell Classic at the Georgia Dome. Kublanow had 13 pancake blocks against Peachtree Ridge, including a couple where he fell on top of the defender as he was making the block and – to the amazement of scouts – stayed on top of the defender and shoved his helmet into the artificial turf, as if to make sure he got the message.

The video …

So much, so fast. After moving from England, Francis Kallon has learned the sport of football at a rapid pace. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound DE is committed to Georgia Tech (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

Tennessee is making a hard push to sway Georgia Tech’s top football commitment.

The Volunteers stopped by Central Gwinnett High School on Friday to offer a football scholarship to defensive end Francis Kallon, who committed to Georgia Tech earlier this summer.

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Kallon is in his first year of playing football after moving from London, England.

However, Sir Francis has had a dominating start to senior season at Central Gwinnett, which plays in the state’s largest classification. Through two games, Kallon has 19 total tackles, 6 tackles for losses, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and a blocked punt.

Central Gwinnett plays South Gwinnett at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Georgia Dome.

Alabama, UGA, Auburn, South Carolina are among the numerous other schools that have …

How does UGA’s 0-2 start affect football recruiting?

The Bulldogs have 14 players committed to sign football scholarships with the team in February, along with four high school juniors pledged the sign with UGA the following year.

Many of Georgia’s commitments made unofficial visits to Georgia for Saturday’s 45-42 loss to South Carolina, including 5-star offensive lineman John Theus of Jacksonville and Thomson High School defensive tackle John John Atkins (UGA’s most recent commit). As far as junior prospects, Camden County QB Brice Ramsey, Newnan safety Tray Matthews, and Goose Creek (S.C) wide receiver Tramal Terry – both early commitments to UGA — were among those in attendance.

What do the recruits think of UGA’s 0-2 start? And will it affect their commitment …

Miller Grove SF Brandon Morris (AJC photo)

UGA added another homegrown talent from the state of Georgia on Monday.

Brandon Morris committed to UGA after making an official visit with the Bulldogs over the weekend. The 6-foot-7 small forward from Miller Grove High School also had Auburn and Arkansas as his finalists.

“I had a list of things that I wanted in college, and Georgia was a great fit,” Morris told the AJC. “I fit in perfect with the roster they’ve got, and I have a chance to compete for early playing time … This was a good decision for me.

“After my visit to Georgia, I didn’t see the need to take official visits to anywhere else. Why go far away to play college basketball when there’s a great program this close to home? I called Coach Fox to let him know, and he said I made his day. He was really happy about my commitment, as am I.”

UGA now had three commitments for its 2012 college basketball recruiting class and all three are from Georgia. The others are a pair of …

Tony Parker (No. 32) and Brandon Morris are double trouble as college basketball prospects out of three-time state champion Miller Grove (AJC photo)

There were rumors that UGA could land its third homegrown basketball recruit from Georgia this weekend, but it didn’t happen.

Brandon Morris, one of Georgia’s top college basketball prospects, took an official visit to UGA. Morris is a 6-foot-7 small forward from Miller Grove, the three-time defending Class AAAA state champions.

“He liked Georgia, but no … Brandon didn’t commit,” Miller Grove basketball coach Sharman White told the AJC. “I think he wants to take some more visits and research everything before he makes his college decision.”

UGA coach  already has a pair of homegrown commitments for 2012 – Whitefield Academy’s Kenny Gaines and Milton’s Charles Mann. Fox hMark Foxas two more scholarships available, and is targeting Morris.

“Brandon enjoyed his visit and said he liked a lot of things about …

The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder from M.L. King High School, who has more than 25 early scholarship offers, admits he thought long and hard about accepting it in following days.

M.L. King plays South Gwinnett in WSB-TV’s “Thursday Night Football” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. (click on link to watch)

“My mom is very religious; she’s a strong Christian,” Whitehead told the AJC. “She was like ‘Let’s just talk and pray with our pastor and the church before we make any decisions. She doesn’t want me to make any wrong decisions. So she was basically saying  ‘Hold off and check out other schools before you commit. There might be something out there different that you might see that you like.’”

Whitehead still likes UGA a …

The senior transfer from California landed his third football scholarship in five days on Wednesday night. N.C. State offered, following in the footsteps of Georgia Tech and Ole Miss a few days ago.

“I talked to N.C. State, and I’m very appreciative of the offer,” Orjioke told the AJC. “They asked me what position would I like to play, safety or linebacker? I told them I’ll play anywhere that helps the team win. Yes sir, I’m fine with any position.”

Which college will be next? UGA, Auburn, Tennessee, Clemson, Mississippi State and East Carolina have all expressed interest. Orjioke will be making an unofficial visit to Auburn on Saturday.

Kene, which is pronounced “Kenny”, is the stuff of recruiting legends.

He was virtually unknown to college scouts after moving from California to Georgia over the summer.

Kene is a native of Nigeria and has lived in Australia and Chicago, among other …

Mike Davis (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

Could Florida be in danger of losing one of Georgia’s top running backs?

Stephenson High School’s Mike Davis, who committed early to the Gators, confirmed to the AJC that he plans to visit other schools but remains committed to Florida.

“I just want to take my visits with my teammates,” Davis explained. “There’s nothing there with me committing to another school. It’s just me going to have fun with my teammates while they are having fun. I want to enjoy the time with them because I know this might be my last time with them. Of course I’m committed to the Florida Gators. I’m not trying to go anywhere else.”

Which other schools may get visits from Davis? He isn’t ready to say. “I don’t know.” Davis had around 15 early offers when he committed to Florida last February over Alabama, South Carolina, Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Penn State.  What about UGA or Georgia Tech? “I haven’t heard anything …

Kevin Ware has had an action-packed recruiting journey since Tennessee fired Bruce Pearl on March 21 (Photo by adidas)

Kevin Ware had one of college basketball’s wildest recruiting journeys over the last six months.

And may not be over. Or let’s just say there may be another twist or turn.

The 6-foot-4 point guard from Rockdale County High School might not be eligible to play for Louisville until January, Louisville coach Rick Pitino told the Louisville Courier-Journal. Pitino expects a decision to come within the next week or two.

Here’s more from the Courier-Journal:

Pitino said it’s an academic issue and not related to the NCAA’s investigation of Central Florida’s recruiting. The 6-foot-4 Ware, from Rockdale County High School in Georgia, signed with Tennessee before coach Bruce Pearl was fired, then got his release and commited to UCF. After a [report] linked his UCF recruitment to a possible street agent, Ware backed out. In June he announced he would attend U of …

The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder is an AJC Super 11 selection and has around 20+ early scholarship offers, with Florida, Clemson and Indiana filling out the rest of his top five. Tomlinson, who is a two-time state champion in wrestling, has a 3.8 GPA.

“Dalvin is relentless,” Henry County coach Mike Rozier said. “He is at full tilt every play, and looks like he never takes a play off. He goes both ways for us and his motor is always running. The college scouts always talk about that when they watch his film. You just don’t see many high school kids that are relentless and have a motor like him.”

Tomlinson made a recruiting trip to Alabama on Saturday and nearly committed.

“I was tempted to do it,” …

WR Jason Croom, who will sign with Tennessee, is the featured player on tonight's WSB-TV's "Thursday Night Football." See below for specific TV channels (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

Jason Croom, one of Georgia’s top college football prospects at wide receiver, committed to Tennessee on Thursday.

The 6-foot-5, 226-pounder picked the Volunteers over Mississippi State, among his 17 early offers, which also included Auburn, Michigan and Florida State. Croom is the fifth player from Georgia to join Tennessee’s 2012 recruiting class, and No. 2 at wide reciever, along with Columbia High School’s Keithon Redding.

“You know how they say ‘when you visit the right school, you will just know it?’ That’s how it was at Tennessee,” Croom told the AJC. “They think I can develop into a special player for them. They really care about my academics and helping me get a degree. I really like the coaches, the players, the atmosphere — you know, everything about the place.”

Norcross coach Keith …

Jason Croom will decide between Tennessee and Mississippi State among his 17 early scholarship offers around 3 p.m. on Thursday. Croom was a member of Norcross High’s state championship basketball team last season but will focus on football only in college.

“The colleges love his ability,” Norcross coach Keith Maloof said. “He’s big, he’s 200 pounds. He’s 6-foot-5 and he can run. He can get behind the secondary. He can run the possession routes. He can block outside on the corners. Just about everything he does is good.”

Norcross High School WR Jason Croom will decide between Tennessee and Mississippi State on Thursday (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

Croom talked about his two finalists. “With Mississippi State, I like the coaches, the players and facilities. It’s like one big family. They are in a spread offense …

Central Gwinnett High School junior linebacker Trey Johnson committed to Auburn over Florida, Florida State, Clemson, Tennessee and South Carolina among his 24 early scholarship offers.

“Obviously being the national champion, Auburn has a great football program; Trey wanted to play for a winning program,” Central Gwinnett coach Todd Wofford told the AJC.

Another advantage Auburn had was with the coach recruiting Johnson — Ted Roof, the Auburn defensive coordinator who played football at Central Gwinnett before later starring at Georgia Tech. “Trey and Coach Roof really have a great friendship. It was a different kind of bond than Trey had with the coaches at the other schools he visited. Trey really liked the friendships he had with …

Running back Marcus Allen of Hilliard, Fla.., committed to the Yellow Jackets over Florida State, Tennessee, Nebraska, and TCU, among his 30 early scholarship offers. Allen has a 3.9 GPA and is related to a pair of former UGA football greats who are both in the NFL, Champ Bailey and Boss Bailey.

Hilliard (Fla) High School RB Marcus Allen has a 3.9 GPA and comes from a football family, with NFL Pro Bowl DB Champ Bailey being a cousin

“Georgia Tech has a great combination of athletics and academics, and they are giving me the chance to play running back — so it was the best fit for me,” Allen told the AJC on Monday night.

Mondays’ commitment completed a fast and furious courtship between Georgia Tech and the Florida star. The Yellow Jackets had been talking to Allen since the spring, and extended a scholarship offer around two weeks ago. Georgia Tech quickly closed the deal …

Crowell left behind plenty of talented teammates at Carver-Columbus, which is known for producing college football prospects on an annual basis. Carver had 20 seniors sign last Febraury and expects another strong batch this year.

One of Carver’s top 2012 prospects is Derious Bennett, a 6-foot-1, 275-pound defensive tackle who said he has around a dozen offers, including Arkansas, Wake Forest, Tennessee, Southern Miss, Duke, Houston and Marshall.

Bennett has nothing but praise for his former heralded teammate, Crowell.

“Isaiah is an amazing football player,” Bennett said. “He has tremendous character and is real humble. I think Georgia fans are going to be excited about what he does for them this season.”

Asked if there was anything that Georgia fans would be surprised to learn about Crowell as a person or football player, Bennett replied, “No, not really. …

Keithon Redding (left) with Columbia HS coach Mario Allen (AJC)

Keithon Redding, a wide receiver from Columbia High School, said he committed to Tennessee on Friday afternoon.

“I called the coaches and told them ‘I want to be a Vol,’” Redding told the AJC. “I like Tennessee because of the coaches and because it’s not too far away from home.”

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder said he was also considering Central Florida and Alabama. He said he decided to commit to Tennessee after attending Florida State’s camp.

“I had been wanting to commit to Tennessee for a while,” Redding said. “I had been talking to Florida State, and they wanted me to come down to camp so they could see me in person. I talked to the wide receivers coach, and he sounded like he was really interested in me. But I wasn’t sure if they had offered. It was kind of confusing.”

Redding said he has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.5 seconds.

RELATED FOOTBALL RECRUITING STORIES

• Tennessee gets commitment No. 8 in …

Justin King committed to Tennessee but said " I'm always going to be representing the state of Georgia." (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

Justin King was won over by Tennessee after an unofficial visit to the SEC school.

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound linebacker from Dunwoody High School committed to Tennessee over Virginia, UCF and Cincinnati among his 14 offers.

“We kind of fell in love with it from an academic to athletic standpoint,” King told the AJC. “Everything is there for me for football and my education. My parents felt like this was the best place for me. It’s an easy drive from Atlanta and an easy ride to my brother who plays football at Tennessee Tech.”

King was particularly impressed with Derek Dooley, Tennessee’s coach. He and parents peppered Dooley with questions, and they liked the answers.

“He was honest about everything,” King said. “You can tell he’s not the kind of guy to sugarcoat things to make it sound good. My Dad asked him how he felt about losing. Coach …