Call him Mr. Jarrod Shaw.

It’s all about business.

The lineman from Northside High School in Lafayette, La., said he is a fan of hip-hop star turned entrepreneur Jay-Z. Shaw said it’s not Jay-Z’s rapping ability that has him. It’s his success in the business world.

The 6-foot-5, 330-pound Shaw, who plans to major in business at Tennessee, talks about Jay-Z and coming to play football at UT in this GVX Q and A.

Q: What is your most memorable moment from an official visit?

A: Hanging out with the players at Tennessee. We just played games, hung out and talked and went out on the town. It was a good experience because I never really got a chance to get out of the state of Louisiana too much. I liked it because the city is kind of big like my hometown. It kind of felt like home.

Q: Who has been the most significant influence on your football career?

A: My daddy. He played football in college but he never got a chance to pursue his career. He pushed me hard to play and stay in shape. He played one year at Louisiana Tech and one year at Alcorn State. He told me to just stay focused and keep working out. He told me people would kill to be in a position I’m in.

Q: How happy was he to see your hard work pay off in getting a scholarship to UT?

A: He liked it a lot. He’s a big college football fan. He knows a lot about them. He likes that I chose Tennessee.

Q: When did you know you would have a future in football?

A: I’d say probably at the end of my sophomore year because when the coaches would be coming around to see the other players on my team they would talk to me, too. I figured if I didn’t get to a big D-1 (college) I’d at least go to a school around here somewhere.

Q: Do you model your game after anyone?

A: Not really. I just try to play hard and make plays for the team.

Q: Do you have a favorite football player?

A: Right now it would be Reggie Bush but I can’t really model my game after him. He’s quick and he’s made big plays for his team.

Q: Do you think Reggie Bush should be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft ahead of Vince Young?

A: Oh yeah. I like Vince Young too but Bush’s career in the NFL is going to be longer than Vince Young’s.

Q: What are some goals for yourself at UT?

A: My first year is to just adjust to the college life. I would like to help the team out my first year but if I don’t I wont be disappointed. My redshirt year or my sophomore year would be to get significant playing time and just go from there.

Q: What is your favorite part about playing football?

A: Just the competition. It’s not like basketball where they have dominant teams and then trashy teams. In football any team can get beat or upset. I like the overall competition of it. I know I’m getting myself ready to play against those quality players (in college). It’s pretty exciting.

Q: Who is your favorite celebrity?

A: I’d probably have to say Jay-Z. He’s a real businessman. That’s what I’m majoring in. I’d like to consider myself a businessman sometime. That shows his entrepreneur qualities. That’s something Id like to pursue some day, too.