Sapp would like to reunite with South Florida friends

Sapp said he began playing football last year after his mother died from a heart attack last April.

"My mom was forcing me every day to get to school and telling me that I’ve got to make something of myself," the safety from Piper High School in Sunrise, Fla., said. "I look at it as I’m doing this for my mama. I always promised her that I’d make it somewhere. Every day I do it, I dedicate it to my mama."

The 6-foot, 198-pound Sapp said the potential fortunes associated with the NFL are his strongest motivation so that he can one day provide for his family.

"That’s really my only purpose of living right now," he said. "I need to get there because right now it’s my brother and me taking care of the family since my mama passed. We’re struggling and I know we can have a better life than this. We’re out here in the real world on our own.

"I play the game because I love the game. But if I can make it to that next level, I’ll get the money to take care of my little niece and my family."

Sapp said he moves around a lot, living with different family members. Today he is living with his older brother.

So far, Sapp has not received any written scholarship offers, only verbal. He lists Tennessee, Auburn and Arizona as his top choices. UT has shown sincere interest and could offer him a scholarship once spring evaluations are complete.

Sapp said he first became interested in Tennessee during UT’s recruitment of his friends Vladimir Richard and Gerald Williams. Richard and Williams signed with Tennessee in February.

Sapp said it would be comforting to know that he already has friends at Tennessee if the Vols come calling.

"It helps me a whole lot," Sapp said. "It won’t be like I’m a stranger up there. I’ll have them up there to show me around and hang out with.

"Vlad and I are really good buddies. He motivates me in a lot of ways. That’s going to be real nice if I can get up there."

Sapp said he likes what he has seen from UT’s program.

"First of all, they win games," Sapp said. "Everybody likes to win games and play for championships. I like the defense and I know they’re going to be short a couple of players."

Sapp considers himself a sleeper in the 2006 recruiting class because he just began playing football last fall, but he says coaches will like what they see.

"I can show anybody any game tape from last year and they’re going to like it," Sapp said. "Most people are recognizing me now from last year. People don’t know me, but they’re going to know me this year."

Whatever his decision, near or far, Sapp said he still has support from his family.

"They tell me to go where I’m going to feel comfortable," Sapp said. "Whatever I feel is best for me, they’re 100 percent behind me. So it’s all up to me."