Rolando Melancon knows about the late Reggie White's success at Tennessee.

Melancon wants to do better than that.

Melancon, a defensive tackle from Lutcher (La.) High School, said he wants to "shatter" White's records at UT. White is the Vols' all-time sacks leader with 32.

The 6-foot-1, 260-pound Melancon talked about being mentioned with UT's all-time best defensive linemen and becoming a Division I prospect from a small town in Louisiana.

Q: What was your most memorable moment from your official visit at UT?

A: Taking a big nap on Coach (Phillip) Fulmer's couch. It just helped me to know they're cool like that. They just laughed when I got up. Walking in to sleep on his couch while everything is going on let me know they're real close with their players. I know I can go there and they'll get along with the players.

Q: What was your least favorite part of the recruiting process?

A: I don't have anything. I enjoyed it from day one. Getting recognized from a small town by big names in college football means a lot. It was kind of hectic at times, but I can't say I had a worst part about being recruited.

Q: What did it mean to be from a small town in Lutcher and be recruited so heavily?

A: Being from a small town, smaller school, getting recruited from some of the big guys is cool. There were schools that still recognized me even though I had problems academically. They still stayed with me, and gave me an opportunity to better myself.

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

A: My Uncle Troy. He was a big player coming out of high school. He was one of the best linebackers to play at my school. After he graduated he had a car wreck that messed him up. He was real good. People before me knew he was 10 times better than me. I couldn't even play on the field with some of those guys, but they couldn't get that big-time break. I look at that and try not to be like them.

Q: Has he helped with advice on using your abilities?

A: He's been tremendous. He told me to enjoy it while it's going on. You never know when there might be a dramatic change. Live the life you have every day. Enjoy every moment. I'll hopefully have a big career at Tennessee. I can make a bigger name for myself and get a degree. I'll go on to the NFL if I'm that fortunate.

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

A: I think maybe in the eighth grade when I started playing varsity. Eighth grade, that's when I stepped onto the scene and knew I could be a great one. I won MVP in the (Superdome) in the state championship game this past season. I could do some amazing things.

Q: What was it like playing in the Superdome?

A: It was great. It was the second time I'd played in there. I played there in the ninth grade. I could have had (the MVP) easily that year but we had another guy on our team that really lit it up. Finishing with the MVP was big for me. My Uncle Troy did it too his senior year in high school. I was trying to live up to him. He said I'd never be as good as him. I just said I did it too.

Q: What are your goals at UT?

A: One, I think highly of myself. I want to shatter -- not break -- shatter Reggie White's records. I want to win a national championship. I don't have too many personal-setting goals besides being another Reggie White. I want to be another great name with John Henderson and Reggie White and Jesse Mahelona and Turk McBride. I want to be there with those guys. I want to be another one of those.

Q: Why do you want to be mentioned with those former linemen?

A: Those are great guys. If one day I could get my name mentioned with some of those guys, that'd be another big honor. They did some great things at UT and are still doing great things in the NFL. If I get recognized like some of those guys, I would be doing something right while I was there.

Q: What is your favorite part about playing football?

A: Hitting somebody without getting in trouble. Beating up on the quarterback. What I like to do is make the quarterback look at his offensive line and tell them to step in my way and stop roughing him up. I like busting up the running backs so bad that he throws the ball down in frustration. That's what I like to see.

Q: Who is your favorite athlete?

I like LeBron (James). I like Shawn Merriman. He plays with the energy I like to play with. Lawrence Williams. He played here a couple years back. He was easily one of the best linebackers to come out. He was so dynamic on the field and impact player. Things didn't work out for him. I still like his game. Another one is (Indianapolis defensive tackle) Anthony McFarland. I like him.