This is the final part in a weeklong series about four Tennessee prospects from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga.

Tennessee has a head start. But the Gators aren’t far behind.

UT was one of the first schools to offer Kelvin Sheppard a scholarship to play football, shortly after Maryland and Ball State.

College interest for the 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker is sure to grow over the next summer and other suitors will present themselves. However, Sheppard seems most interested in a school that is situated due south.

"I’ve been a Gator all my life," the Stephenson High School star from Stone Mountain, Ga., said. "I grew up watching them play. That’s a big time SEC school."

Florida is still evaluating Sheppard and Gators coach Urban Meyer is scheduled to visit next week. A scholarship offer could be in the works.

"It’s going to be real tough to turn down," Sheppard said of the possible pending invitation from the Gators. "The atmosphere down there is just tremendous."

Despite his Florida affinity, Sheppard maintains that he is open to courting from UT, Ohio State, Michigan, Maryland, and whoever else jumps in the race.

"I was excited when I started getting them," Sheppard said of the college inquiries. "Now my coach said I was probably going to get about 20 more (scholarship offers)."

"Ohio State told me they were going to offer me. They’ve been on me since my sophomore season."

Sheppard said most schools are recruiting him as a strong-side linebacker because of his size and range. "Sideline to sideline, I’m very good," he said.

On offense, tight end is at least a remote possibility given Sheppard’s high school experience at the position.

"When Tennessee offered me they told me that, although they wanted me for linebacker, that next year I could start at the tight end spot," Sheppard said. "That would be a bonus if I went to school and could play both ways."

Sheppard said he has benefited from the competition at Stephenson, a school that regularly produces Div.-I prospects.

Sheppard was second on the team last season with 106 tackles. He also had 16 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and three sacks. On offense, Sheppard caught 15 passes for four touchdowns and 142 yards.

"The competition is very good out there," he said. "That helps out a lot."

UT’s recruiting push for Sheppard and his teammates should benefit from an in-school visit by head coach Phillip Fulmer next week. Fulmer will assess all of Stephenson’s prospects, two of which may be mapping out the same college future.

"Me and Perry," Sheppard said, referring to fellow linebacker, Perry Riley. "We’ve been on the same team since we were 10. We’ve been talking about it and it wouldn’t be bad for us to go to the same program together and make an impact together."

Sheppard is already familiar with three SEC schools having made numerous trips to Georgia, two trips to Florida, and a visit to Auburn.

Stephenson head coach Ron Gartrell said Sheppard runs 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash, bench presses 300 pounds, squats about 425, and power cleans 255.

"He received our coaches award this year because he’s a guy that never comes off the field," Gartrell said. "He played more plays than anyone on the team this year. He’s totally committed to what he does."