Jacques McClendon hopes to bring a friend with him to Knoxville.

The Tennessee football signee is trying to convince Chattanooga Baylor teammate Kevin Cooper, a junior, to sign with the Vols next February.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound running back recently received a scholarship offer from UT.

"That was amazing," Cooper said.

The Vols aren’t the only school hot on Cooper’s trail. He said he’s received offers from Alabama and North Carolina. Cooper said he’s also considering Virginia and Georgia.

Despite the competition, UT seems to be in good shape to land the Chattanooga native, who grew up a Vol fan.

"I kind of was an LSU fan," Cooper said, "but I grew up liking Tennessee, the tradition, everything about the orange. I always liked the color since I was young."

Cooper has excelled at fullback and tailback at Baylor. The versatility makes him an intriguing prospect.

"I like having the ball but I’m traditionally a fullback. I like hitting," Cooper said. "I’d like to say I’m a better blocker but people tell me I’m a better runner."

Whatever position Cooper plays in college, his relationship with McClendon likely will prove to be a strong factor in his decision. UT’s highest-ranked signee in 2006 also was one of its best recruiters in December and January as he called several prospects to sing the Vols’ praises.

"That’s my man," Cooper said of McClendon.

Cooper also saw McClendon’s recruitment up close last year and knows what a compliment it is to receive a scholarship offer this early in the recruiting process. McClendon also received an early offer from UT and proved to be one of the nation’s top prospects.

"It really says something," Cooper said. "To be offered as early as he was kind of puts me in the same category."