Chris Donald was close. But not quite.

"I was," the 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker said when asked if he almost committed to play football for Tennessee during a visit this weekend. "At one point I was going to."

Donald was in Knoxville this weekend as part of UT's junior camp that hosted 200 to 300 visitors. As one of the top prospects in the state, he is obviously a priority for UT head coach Phillip Fulmer and defensive coordinator John Chavis.

"He told me just to take my time," Donald said of Fulmer, "and make sure that Tennessee is where I want to be."

Donald had no complaints about his short visit, which lasted less than 24 hours because he had to take a college entrance exam early Saturday morning.

"They are just great people," Donald said when asked about UT's coaching staff. "They made me feel like I was at home. I enjoyed my visit."

Donald said he will visit Ole Miss in the next two weeks before he makes a decision on his college future. An announcement will come shortly thereafter.

Do the Rebels have a chance?

"I don't know," Donald said. "I guess that's why I'm taking the visit."