Pope learns much about UT football in a hurry

The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder from Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, Calif., committed to play football for the Vols on Tuesday. The decision completed quite a journey that began two months ago when UT's coaches started calling.

"I didn't know very much about them," Pope said. "I didn't know what 'Vols' meant, but little by little everything changed. I know that they are a big-time football team. I fell in love with it."

Pope's affection for the Vols was never more evident than when he took his official visit to Knoxville last weekend.

"Just talking to people out there, they know what they're talking about with football," Pope said, recalling the trip. "Everybody knows Tennessee football.

"The city of Knoxville is just better than the city of Seattle, overall."

Pope, who originally committed to Washington earlier this month, is projected to play on the offensive line for the Vols but he said tight end also has been discussed with UT's coaches as he made his final decision.

"Ultimately, it was SEC over Pac-10," Pope said. "I just realized that there are a lot better teams in the SEC than the Pac-10."

Pope said calling Washington's coaches to inform them of his change of heart was tough.

"They're real mad and real upset still," he said. "I was kind of nervous but I knew what I had to do. I just had to be honest with them."

Pope is the third commitment in as many days for the Vols. He is the third offensive lineman to declare he'd sign with UT in 2006. UT lost four starters on the offensive line from last season, making the position a priority.

UT's other two committed offensive lineman for 2006 are Jacques McClendon from Chattanooga Baylor and Darius Myers from Hargrave Military Academy. McClendon is one of the top prospects in the nation. Myers is from Cordova (Tenn.) High School. He signed with UT last year but did not qualify academically.

The Vols also had two other offensive linemen in this weekend for their official visits: Bryant Browning from Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and Ramone Johnson from Morgan Park High School in Chicago. Browning committed to Ohio State on Tuesday.

UT has 18 commitments for the 2006 class and is expected to sign 20-25 players. National Signing Day is Feb. 1.