CLEMSON, S.C. — Jae Fitzgerald can hear the football recruiters calling. If only his cousin could do the same.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound running back is quick to point out that his cousin, who is deaf, could have a strong influence on his college decision.

The future is still unclear, but Fitzgerald said he has looked into Tennessee’s program for deaf students and is pleased with what he’s found. That could help the Vols land Fitzgerald if his cousin, Stewart Jones, decides to attend UT alongside him as a student or walk-on football player.

Jones, however, could decide to pursue a college football career of his own. It seems unlikely that the receiver from Dutch Fork (S.C.) High School will warrant Division I scholarship offers.

"To be deaf, he’s really good," said Fitzgerald, who is from Crestwood High School in Sumter, S.C. "It might hamper him a little bit that he’s deaf but I still think he has a chance to play in college, too. I honestly think he can get a scholarship."

Fitzgerald is still trying to overcome a broken leg he suffered just before his junior season began. The leg is healed but missing the season’s first five games surely hampered his status as a college prospect.

"It feels like I’ve been overlooked," said Fitzgerald, who played in six games last season. "I feel like I’ve got a whole lot of potential. I might be one of the best players out here."

Combine statistics didn’t quite back up Fitzgerald’s claim but his play during one-on-one drills did. Fitzgerald ran a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, posted a 38.7-inch vertical leap and bench-pressed 185 pounds for 17 repetitions at Sunday’s Nike camp held at Clemson.

Fitzgerald said he was disappointed with his 40 time.

"I know I can run a 4.4 flat," he said.

In drills against linebackers, Fitzgerald made several impressive plays but lamented one drop that he said was caused by a cut finger that required two stitches after a dishwashing accident.

"If my finger was better, I would have caught everything," he said. "I felt like I was one of the best players and people had to work hard to go against me instead of me working hard to go against them."

Fitzgerald said UT, Clemson, South Carolina, Middle Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Penn State and Virginia Tech are pursuing him the hardest. The Vols still are evaluating Fitzgerald. He said UT’s coaches, like many from other schools, have told him that they could offer him a scholarship during their June football camp.

There’s no question where Fitzgerald wants to play college football.

"It’s Tennessee in the lead by far," he said. "Penn State is my second option. My (other) cousin goes to school there."

Fitzgerald said he also is strongly considering Georgia Tech.

Other Orange: Clemson had plenty of recruiting support as the camp unfolded on its campus. Tiger commitments Willie Korn from James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C., and receiver Xavier Dye from Greenwood (S.C.) High School were both visiting with prospects.

"I talked to all the guys," Korn said. "Whatever I can do to help out."

Korn participated in the Clemson camp in order to be eligible for the Elite 11 camp later this year. The Tigers have six commitments.

Roll Call: Few college coaches attended the camp. Most have used up their NCAA allotted four weeks of travel time during the spring evaluation period. The time must be used from mid-April to the end of May. UT’s coaches’ last day on the road was Sunday.

Top Honors: Desmond Scott from Southern High School in Durham, N.C., topped the Sparq rating, which is comprised of the four combine-style tests. Scott posted a 44.3 vertical jump, bench pressed 185 pounds for 23 repetitions, ran a 4.00 shuttle run and a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash.

There were 450 participants in the camp.