The scholarship offers are beginning to mount for Marcus Tillman.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end/tight end from Meadville, Miss., said he has received scholarship offers from Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, Louisiana State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Southern Miss, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

For now, Tillman said he is most interested in LSU, Auburn, Southern Miss, Tennessee, and Florida.

"I've heard they have a pretty good program every year," Tillman said of the Vols. "I don't really know that much about them. I just keep hearing they have a pretty good program."

Tillman is being recruited by one of UT's best recruiters, defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell.

"He sounded excited about me and maybe coming to that school," Tillman said.

Tillman said Mississippi State is the most persistent pursuer but he doesn't feel any pressure to choose a school within Mississippi's state lines.

"I hear things, but I've got to go somewhere that's going to help me," Tillman said. "It's not going to be a factor."

Tillman declined to name a leader but feels certain he knows what to look for when campus visits begin.

"Somewhere that I can fit in to the system," he said. "It has to have a good environment on campus where I can go and learn."

Tillman said he would attend a football camp at LSU this summer. Other possible destinations have not been determined.

Being an upper echelon prospect in the southeast, Tillman watched last year's SEC championship game with great interest.

"I watched them play against Auburn," Tillman said of the Vols. "They (UT) almost beat them. They run to the ball a lot ... they're just a good team."

"I could fit in. I could fit in real well."