Davon Morgan is going his own way.

The quarterback/safety from Varina High School in Richmond, Va., said he has become a high-level Division 1 prospect because of his hard work and leadership skills.

"I think I get it from my grandma and my great grandma," the 6-foot, 190-pound athlete said. "They always told me, 'Never be a follower. Always be a leader' no matter what I do."

Morgan said his mental determination also helps him physically.

"I'm a tough kid," he said. "I don't give up no matter what's wrong. I may get some bumps and bruises and go get treated, but after that I'm right back out there."

Morgan said he is interested in Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Florida and Penn State. He said he has received a scholarship offer from Virginia Tech and Michigan, each recruiting him to play safety.

Morgan said Clemson and Wake Forest are recruiting him to play quarterback.

UT head coach Phillip Fulmer visited Varina High on May 8. Morgan said he was excited about Fulmer's unexpected visit.

"To me it just felt good," Morgan said. "I felt like, 'Wow, coach really wants to recruit me if he came to my school.' A couple of other coaches have come but I never thought Tennessee would come."

Morgan said he first became interested in UT last fall when the Vols recruited his teammate and cousin, running back Brandon Minor. Minor signed a national letter of intent on Feb. 1 to play football for Michigan.

Minor visited UT last October. Morgan said his cousin returned from Knoxville with good reviews.

"He told me a lot of stuff about UT," Morgan said. "He told me the people there are nice and it's a nice place to be. He liked everything."

Morgan said he has gotten to know UT football by watching them play on television. He said he could help fill one of UT's needs in the 2007 class.

"They're looking to sign some DB's this year," he said. "I'm not going to say they need them, but I just think I can be a great fit there and help them win, too."

Morgan said he is unsure when he might receive a scholarship offer from UT but said he has "a pretty good feeling that it's coming."

One obstacle in UT's recruitment of Morgan will be his ties to Michigan and Virginia Tech. Minor will be a freshman at Michigan in the fall and former Varina defensive tackles Kevin and Jonathan Lewis attended Virginia Tech.

Morgan said Minor's presence in Ann Arbor, Mich., will be something he considers.

"He's a draw," Morgan said. "We're always together. We don't really talk too much about recruiting. He always says, 'Go where you have to.'"

Morgan said he has spoken recently to the Lewis brothers about Virginia Tech.

"They just said it's always a great place to be," Morgan said. "You're going to work hard and the coaches push you a lot. They want to be your coach and make you successful education-wise and on the football field."

Morgan said he has a long-term goal of playing in the NFL. To make it as a professional, he realizes he is best suited to play defense.

"I still have a desire to play quarterback," he said. "I'm just thinking, 'In the future if I want to go to the NFL where would I make my mark at? It's defense."

Morgan said he wants a shot at pro ball so he can repay those that have helped him along the way.

"I think about it a lot because I want to have something to give back to my grandma and everybody that brought me up," he said.