Tennessee gave Alonzo Winfield a chance. He’s taking it.

Winfield, from Carver High School in Winston-Salem, N.C., said he committed to UT on Sunday after attending the Vols’ senior camp on Saturday.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Winfield, who plays outside linebacker, said UT was the only school to offer him a chance to play safety, his preferred position.

"I just feel more comfortable playing safety," he said. "I could come in and play a little bit as a freshman and sophomore. Tennessee gave me a chance."

Winfield said he made the decision to commit after discussing the trip with his parents, who accompanied him to Knoxville on Saturday. He said his parents agreed that UT was a good fit.

Winfield said he was being recruited by UT defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks. Winfield said he made his commitment to Brooks, who quickly relayed the information to defensive backs coach Larry Slade.

"They’re cool people," Winfield said. "They’re honest with me. That was very important."

South Carolina is the only other school to offer Winfield a scholarship. Winfield’s coach at Carver, Keith Wilkes, said he expects offers from North Carolina, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech soon.

Wilkes said UT’s scholarship offer in May gave the Vols a head start against other schools.

"He felt that was important," Wilkes said. "That was pretty big for a program to offer that soon. He felt like he was really wanted."

Wilkes said Winfield could play safety or linebacker in college. He said he believes the UT coaching staff sees the same possibility.

"They were really impressed with his athletic ability," he said. "I think they can probably get him to about 235 (pounds) and make him a faster, bigger, stronger aggressive-type player.

"He’s just been a total all-around player wherever we put him. He’s able to produce. I guess that’s what they saw in him on film."

Winfield said he’s grown up mainly watching Atlantic Coast Conference football in North Carolina. He said he has some catching up to do on football in the SEC.

"I don’t really know too much about the SEC," he said. "I just started learning about it watching football last year. I know they’re the best conference in college football."

Winfield is the second North Carolina player in as many days to commit to UT. Running back Daryl Vereen from North Mecklenburg High in Huntersville, N.C., committed to the Vols following Saturday’s camp.