Last weekend was a time of firsts for Miguel Chavis. It was the first time the University of Tennessee football prospect flew in an airplane and it was his first official visit.

Then, in the whirlwind of it all, Chavis' first trip almost became his last.

"I felt like I committed six or seven times last weekend," the 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive lineman from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., said of his official visit to UT. "I'm not going to lie ... It was a real good time. I was impressed very much."

Chavis said UT's coaches warned him against making a decision too early. They wanted him to be 100 percent sure before he committed and Chavis still had more official visits scheduled, such as Georgia this weekend, Maryland on Jan. 12 and Clemson on Jan. 19.

Chavis could be a key pickup for UT's 2007 class. The Vols only have two defensive linemen committed. For Chavis, that shortcoming makes UT more appealing.

"Definitely," he said. "You definitely want to be in a situation that's good for you."

Chavis is being recruited by UT coach Phillip Fulmer, defensive coordinator John Chavis (no relation) and defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell.

The Vols have known about Chavis for quite sometime. UT was recruiting him during his career at Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, N.C., before he was deemed academically ineligible for his senior season. That's when he headed to Hargrave.

Chavis, who had committed to North Carolina, was primarily being recruited by the Tar Heels, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech during his junior season. After a senior season at Hargrave, his recruiting stature has improved.

"It's been a blessing being up here," Chavis said. "It's made me grow up a lot. It tests you mentally and physically."

Chavis went to Hargrave and immediately earned a starting defensive end spot. Then, the competition, he said, made him better.

"There's no comparison at all," Chavis said when asked to compare high school players against opponents he's faced at Hargrave. "I don't know that I would be the same player if I was playing high school football."

Chavis left high school as a 6-3, 230-pound linebacker. He's grown into a 6-5, 260-pound defensive end. With another growth spurt, defensive tackle could be in his future.

"I'm definitely open to playing defensive tackle," said Chavis, who said he has run the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds.

Chavis said he is averaging six to seven tackles and a sack per game. He also has two forced fumbles and a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Chavis and UT might have never reconnected had it not been for receiver Brent Vinson. Vinson signed with UT out of Phoebus High in Hampton, Va., before academic shortcomings forced him to Hargrave. Chavis said it was Vinson who reinitiated contact with the Vols.

"Brent is one of my really good friends up here," said Chavis, who plans to announce his decision on Jan. 26.

Locked Down: It appears that Catholic star Harrison Smith wants to be alone with his thoughts. He hasn't returned numerous phone calls and text messages from the News Sentinel.

The 6-2, 205-pound safety/linebacker has plenty to think about. He took his final official visit to UT last weekend and was visited by Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis for nearly two hours on Tuesday morning.

"I think it's wearing on him," Catholic coach Mark Pemberton said. "You can tell. You only go through this once so you need to make the right decision."

Pemberton said Smith did not commit to Notre Dame during the visit.

"It's still up the air," he said.

Weis did get a commitment out of player from the state Tuesday when running back Golden Tate of Pope John Paul II picked the Fighting Irish in front of his classmates in Nashville.

The 5-11 Tate, ranked No. 6 in the News Sentinel preseason Top 25, is a two-time Division II-A/AA Mr. Football winner.