4-star WR Travis Smith Jr. made the decision for Tennessee on Saturday.
Smith, the No. 27-rated vast receiver within the Rivals250 WR for the 2025 recruiting cycle out of Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake Excessive College, picked the Vols over Alabama, Georgia and Auburn after a gauntlet of visits over the previous month and alter.
SEC contenders like Georgia and Alabama every had momentum in Smith’s recruitment for various elements of the low season main into his July 13 reveal. Tennessee had been trending up with the 6-foot-4, 200-plus-pound pass-catcher after making his closing go to to Rocky High on June 21-23 weekend.
“They wish to make the most of me anyplace on the sector creating house and so they let me know constantly they need me and so they want me. I felt like a precedence down there,” Smith informed Rivals.
“Every part they’ve been speaking about on the cellphone since again in-season, they’ve constantly proven it,” Smith continued. “They actually confirmed out for the official go to, it was loopy.”
The in-state Dawgs and the Crimson Tide completed simply behind the Volunteers for Smith, who was excessive on Tennessee’s teaching employees and the blueprint in place on the offensive aspect of the ball. That features the depth at quarterback and up to date success of growing vast receivers.
“My greatest official go to, personally, was Tennessee,” he defined. “Bringing us out to the river, tubing, having these snug visits. It was nice.”
“It comes all the way down to visualizing myself making performs. I do know I could make performs anyplace I am going; it is the place I can see myself going up high and past at.”
The Volunteers have maintained a gentle place in Smith’s recruitment. Josh Heupel and receivers coach Kelsey Pope have performed huge roles on this one.
“They’ve been so, so, so according to communication, maintaining me aligned inside the program and what’s taking place there, maintaining me within the loop on all the pieces,” Smith stated.
“They’ve been actually excessive on the checklist, emphasizing how essential I might be for his or her program and it has been spectacular. I have been up there just a few instances and was capable of construct an excellent relationship with the employees. Coach Heuepel and Coach Pope have touched primarily based with my household, and that is been a giant a part of my recruitment. How a lot I might slot in with that offense could be a giant plus.”
