Tyler Maples couldn't ask for a better experience in recruiting

Maples, a wide receiver/defensive back from Maryville High School, signed to play football at Tennessee in February.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Maples had to wait a while to do it. He made his commitment to the Vols last March.

Still, Maples' early commitment helped him avoid the stress that affects many recruits every year.

Maples talked about the benefits of his early commitment and winning multiple state championships at Maryville in this GVX Q&A.

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

A: The first night we went out there. It was kind of funny. We got to go eat in the skyboxes, the new ones they just put in. It was kind of a laid-back scene with the coaches hanging out. We had guys playing ping pong and cards in the back. We got to eat steak and shrimp, anything you wanted. I guess getting wined and dined was probably the best part.

Q: You committed to UT last March. Was it nice to finish the recruiting process early and not worry about it?

A: I had the perfect opportunity. I got to commit early to my favorite team growing up. I bleed orange. I couldn't want anything more. I got to focus on my senior year and try to win another state championship.

Q: What were the other recruits telling you as they went through most of the recruiting process and struggled to make a decision?

A: I know a few people around here from Alcoa and Maryville in the process that were taking visits. They said if they could get it done early they would have. It's a lot of stress. Every coach is pulling on you. The more you wait the more pressure there is. If you get it over with early you're under the radar and the spotlight isn't on you. The guys that waited until the last month or two said it kind of got old waiting.

Q: Many of UT's signees still heard from coaches at other schools after they committed. How tiring was that for them?

A: They just said it got old. I talked to Chris (Walker) a lot, almost every day. He said when Nick Saban got hired at Alabama, he came at everybody pretty hard. They just talked about how old it got and coaches wouldn't quit. I guess they don't quit until the ink is dry on the paper. It's their job I guess, but there's a time to give it up.

Q: Some people have suggested an early signing period in football for players that have already committed. What do you think of that idea?

A: I've heard Coach (Phillip) Fulmer talking about that when he's getting interviewed. He's in favor of it. I'm for the coaches, whatever they want. If you can get guys in-state signed early, it'll help guys like me that committed early and then they're not waiting to baby-sit them and wonder if they're going to waver or not.

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

A: I'd probably have two or three. Growing up my dad was my coach all through pee-wee and midgets. That was when I was nine through 12 years old. As far as fundamentals, I learned everything from him. Then when I got to high school of course I had Coach (George) Quarles. I had my brother (Ryan) also. We played the same position. He'd give me tips -- what I needed to do, how important it was to be competitive and compete. We competed a lot growing up.

Q: When did you know you could be a Division I player?

A: Growing up from middle school on I always wanted to go play college football, Division I or II. I saw my brother do it. Before my junior year started Coach Quarles told me with my speed I've got a shot depending on what kind of year I had. At the beginning of my junior year, after the first game I started to get letters from three or four SEC schools inviting me to their campus. It was probably the beginning of my junior year I knew I had a shot.

Q: How much do you think it helped you to play for Maryville, a very successful football program?

A: Maryville, they're known all over the state and some in the Southeast. With the coaches we've got also, (college) coaches call them and know they're going to hear the right thing from Coach Quarles. He'll be honest and not give them stuff like fake 40 times. He's going to be honest. He'll tell you they're not a Division I player if they're not a Division I player. The prestige of Maryville does kind of help you.

Q: You won three state championships in football, but you also won one this year in basketball. What was that like?

A: That was probably the craziest thing ever. It's still unbelievable. You have people coming up and telling you how lucky you are. You pinch yourself. As far as my high school career in sports I have no regrets, especially my senior year. We won basketball and football state championships. Its unbelievable knowing you won three in football and one in basketball. Some people just dream of playing in the state championship game. I'm very fortunate to have won four.

Q: Your teammate at Maryville, tight end Aaron Douglas, is committed to sign with UT in 2008. How good of a prospect is he?

A: I've told everybody this. He's the most athletic big guy I've ever seen. He's 6-6, 240 or 250. He can jump, he can run, he's quick, he has good hands. He's not big and slow. He's quick. He's definitely the kind of guy you want playing tight end, the big athletic guy that can run up the field and make the catches. He can block, too. It's unbelievable. You see him in that locker room and he doesn't have an ounce of fat. He's ripped up. He's all muscle. He could easily put on 20 or 30 pounds. Lord knows what he can do if he does that.