South Carolina pressuring Winfield

Winfield, a linebacker/safety from Carver High School in Winston-Salem, N.C., committed to play football for Tennessee in June.

Winfield has a scholarship offer from South Carolina and has received interest from North Carolina, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. He said his early commitment has slowed but not ended the recruiting process.

Winfield estimated he is "90 percent" committed to UT.

South Carolina looks like the primary competition for the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder. Winfield said he will take an official visit to UT and consider a trip to South Carolina.

"They're (South Carolina's coaches) still trying to get me to visit in the fall," he said. "I might take a visit. I probably will."

One of the main reasons Winfield committed to UT over South Carolina is the Vols promised him a chance to play safety, his preferred position. Winfield said the Gamecocks are still recruiting him to play linebacker.

"I just feel more comfortable playing safety," Winfield told the News Sentinel in June. "I could come in and play a little bit as a freshman and sophomore."

Winfield said he plans to take his visits near the end of or after his senior season. He said he doesn't expect his visit to Columbia to alter his commitment to UT.

"I'm just going there," he said. "I've been there before. I don't think I'm going to change my mind."