He would have looked a little funny wrapped up under the Christmas tree. Still, there's no present Tennessee football coaches would rather receive than Chris Donald.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker from Huntingdon High School has size, speed and playmaking ability to make him one of the elite prospects in the nation - and the News Sentinel's top prospect in Tennessee.

"It's been a great experience," Donald said of the honors and awards he has received. "I'm thankful about everything. It's a great way to end my days in high school football."

Donald might be glad to have his high school football career behind him. Who wouldn't be ready to move on after the senior season he had?

Half a dozen significant injuries limited Huntingdon (5-5). Donald was one of the casualties, sidelined for two games with a left hamstring injury. He still won Mr. Football Class 2A Lineman of the Year.

"It sidetracked me a lot but I didn't complain," Donald told The News Sentinel in the only media interview he granted during December. "I wasn't 100 percent until the last game. It was the first time in my high school career we didn't make the playoffs."

Hard times on the field paled in comparison to what Donald faced off the field. A teammate and close friend died shortly after spring practice in April. Donald's father has been battling a thyroid condition. Surgery is scheduled for early next year.

And just when Donald was ready to focus on his upcoming college decision, tragedy struck again. Larry Smith, Donald's cousin and a UT offensive lineman from 1988-90, died suddenly of a heart attack just days before Donald was scheduled to make his official visit to UT on Dec. 8.

"It's been pretty rough," Donald said. "I put my trust in the Lord and let him help me with it."

With all that he's been through, it's easy to understand why Donald hasn't been eager to do interviews. His self-imposed limited accessibility has had fans from South Bend, Ind., to Knoxville wondering where Donald will play in 2007.

"Sometimes I don't want to talk to people," Donald said, "but I don't want to be mean either."

Donald has long said he's been infatuated with the Vols since childhood but now says his two primary suitors, UT and Notre Dame, are "pretty even" in the race for his services.

Donald is scheduled to make his announcement on Jan. 6, during the U.S. Army All-Star Bowl in San Antonio.

"It's going to be a great feeling," he said. "I've held it in as long as I can."

The timing is far from perfect for the Vols since Donald will make his announcement before his scheduled official visit to UT, which will be sometime in January.

UT's coaches can't comment on prospects but there can't be a player they covet anymore than Donald. Of the News Sentinel's top six prospects in Tennessee, UT has only secured one commitment - Christian Brothers linebacker Chris Walker. Three others have committed to play elsewhere. Two, Donald and Alcoa defensive end Rae Sykes, are still undecided.

The latest crop of prospects is proof that football in Tennessee continues to improve. All 20 of the News Sentinel's prospects will have an opportunity to sign with a school from a BCS conference.

None, however, is more highly anticipated than Donald.