South Carolinian Floyd tells UT yes

J.T. Floyd knew he'd catch some flack for committing to Tennessee. That's a given for a highly touted prospect from South Carolina who decides to leave the state to play college football.

The Palmetto State has a long history of pressuring in-state prospects to stay close to home. Floyd saw some of the fanaticism first-hand Monday, a day after the junior committed to sign with UT in 2008.

"It was kind of crazy," the 5-foot-11, 180-pound athlete from J.L. Mann High School in Greenville, S.C. said. "It was mixed. A lot of people were telling me congratulations. A lot of students were telling me I should have gone to (South) Carolina or Clemson."

The Floyd family expected as much.

"He broke the mold," Floyd's father, James Floyd Jr., said. "No kid that gets offered by South Carolina or Clemson turns them down. He wanted to do something different."

Floyd has played like one would expect in his first four games this season. He has three interceptions, at least six breakups and approximately 20 tackles. As a wide receiver, Floyd has 13 receptions for 290 yards and two touchdowns.

Floyd likely will play in the secondary when he arrives at UT. Cornerback seems like the most likely option. Floyd has played there since his freshman year.

He said the mentality of playing the high-pressure position helps him handle the demands of recruiting.

"You have to have a short memory at corner and that's the approach I take to people giving me advice," Floyd said. "I just listen to my heart."

Floyd was being recruited by South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Florida State and Notre Dame. But the dedication of UT's recruiters and family ties convinced him that Knoxville was the perfect fit.

Floyd's cousin, Steven Jones, is a junior offensive lineman at UT. Jones' father, former NFL linebacker Mike Jones, also lives in Tennessee. UT sophomore defensive back Sinclair Cannon was Floyd's childhood friend.

"I'm very blessed to have this opportunity," said Floyd, who privately committed to UT head coach Phillip Fulmer on Sept. 2 just before the California game. "You can't go wrong with the Vols."

The recruiting calls won't stop just because Floyd has announced his commitment. The publicity could actually enhance his status with other colleges.

"I will inform them that I'm committed to the University of Tennessee," Floyd said of the pending phone calls. "I'm 100 percent Vol right now. It would be hard-, hard-pressed for me to de-commit and go to a different school."

The Floyd family knows UT well. They have visited Knoxville for several games, but it's a future SEC East match-up that could get interesting.

UT plays South Carolina in Columbia on Oct. 28.

"We're not looking forward to it," the elder Floyd said with a chuckle. "I'll probably have to go buy a ticket somewhere.

"They're not going to be happy at all."