Goggans close to a decision

The tight end/defensive end from Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Ala., said he is 90-percent sure he will choose Tennessee over Alabama, Louisville and Arkansas.

Goggans visited Knoxville Saturday to watch UT’s scrimmage at Neyland Stadium. He said he came away impressed with the Vols’ home field.

"I loved it and I could just see the atmosphere that it can uphold," the 6-foot-3, 247-pounder said. "I’ve heard many great things about the stadium. They have great fans. I loved everything about it."

Goggans said he paid close attention to the play on both sides of the ball during UT’s scrimmage.

"If I go there, I don’t really know what side I’m going to play on yet," he said. "They recruited me at a lot of positions, tight end, fullback, wing-back or defensive line. That really caught my eye because it let me know that I can get in there and get some playing time, probably by my sophomore year."

Goggans said UT has shown strong interest in him since the beginning of the recruiting process. He said the attention they have shown and their reputation as a program put them at the top of his list.

"They jumped on me pretty hard at the beginning," he said. "They’re coached by a great coach, coach (Phillip) Fulmer. He’s a great man and he’s won a lot of championships.

"Tennessee has always had great tradition. They’re a class program and they’re great academic-wise. Players come out of there, and if they don’t make it on to the NFL to be successful, you know you can have a great job if you graduate from Tennessee."

Goggans’ parents accompanied him on his trip to Knoxville. He said they too liked what they saw during the trip.

"They’re agreeing with whatever I say," he said. "I talked to them about what they thought about the facilities and do they think Tennessee is a great academic program. They agreed and said yes. We both kind of leaned toward Tennessee."

UT defensive coordinator John Chavis is in charge of recruiting Goggans. Goggans said he keeps regular contact with Chavis.

"We have a great bond," he said. "He wants me to commit and I told him I’m very close to doing that. I call him probably every week or two weeks and we just sit down and talk."

Goggans said growing up as an Alabama fan has kept the Crimson Tide alive behind UT.

"Growing up a Crimson Tide fan, that really followed me," he said. "I watched Alabama grow. I watched them progress so they’re in the mix right now.

"My parents and I know the Tuscaloosa area pretty well. Growing up as a Crimson Tide fan, that would be a great place to go. So I just put them at No. 2."

Goggans said he once planned to take all five of his NCAA official visits this fall but instead will likely take three or four. He said he plans to make his commitment near the end of his high school season after his official visits.