Brandon Minor looks for ways to make plays.

The running back from Varina High School in Richmond, Va., took his first official visit to Tennessee last weekend. Minor said he made sure to look at all areas of the campus.

"I wanted to go see the education stuff like the study halls," the 6-foot, 215-pounder said. "I saw the facilities and they showed me around the city. I can see myself there. I really enjoyed it."

Minor said he is considering UT, Michigan, Miami, Virginia Tech and Florida. He said all schools are even at this point.

Minor said each school is recruiting him to play tailback. He is thought of as a versatile athlete who can play tailback, fullback, linebacker or safety.

He said he changes his style of running based off what he sees from the defense.

"I've got a whole lot of styles of running," he said. "Some games I'll run over people, some games I'll just make them miss. I guess it depends on how I see it.

"I touch the ball and make plays. That's my style."

Blanda Wolfe, Varina's offensive coordinator, said Minor's size gives him an advantage in the backfield.

"He's a big, powerful, bruising type running back," Wolfe said. "He's the type of running back that would rather run over people than run around them. He's a linebacker type playing running back.

"He could very easily play strong safety. But he's a better running back than defensive player."

Wolfe said Minor has the body type to be ready to play early on the college level. He said schools should look at Minor as a tailback first.

"If they move him to fullback he can do that," Wolfe said. "But I see him as a tailback. People worry about his speed. When he puts a football in his hand he's a lot faster than just running a 40 (yard dash)."

Minor said his conversation with UT's coaching staff gave him a better feel of his chances of playing early

"We talked about the kind of position I'd be in if I come there," he said. "We talked about my chances of playing. They said, 'You have to earn your position in practice.'"

Wolfe said Minor's actions off the field are as impressive as they are on it. Wolfe cited an incident in which a freshman kicker was being picked on by other students. He said Minor accompanied the kicker around school to make sure no one messed with him.

"He's such a leader," Wolfe said. "He's a first-class person and he's going to make it in life. Football is going to be there for only a few years."

Minor has been out of action this season because of a tear in his hip flexor. He said his first game action will be Oct. 21.