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Jomarcus Savage had trouble keeping up with Tennessee's football team this season.

Savage, a defensive lineman from J.O. Johnson High School in Huntsville, Ala., said he watched plenty of UT's games on television.

He said he was confused by the up and down play of the Vols (9-4).

"They would go in and beat a dominant team and then go in and get beat by Alabama like they did," Savage said. "And then they should have won the SEC championship game over LSU, who also beat Alabama. "They kind of confused me but they had a real good season and they have a lot of young players."

Those young players are a big reason Savage is giving UT serious consideration.

"That's one of the major things I look at is the future in that school," said Savage, who's also considering Auburn and South Carolina. "I don't look at this past record. That could be gone in seconds.

"I've got to look at the future and see what the future holds. That plays a big role."

UT defensive coordinator John Chavis also has played a big role in Savage's recruitment.

Savage said he likes how Chavis allows his defense to attack opposing offenses.

"I'm more of a player who likes to come off the edge hard and fast and rush the passer," Savage said. "I know they let their ends do that a lot.

"Sometimes they just let their defensive linemen just get after it. That's one thing I like about them."

Savage likes what he's seen from Auburn and South Carolina as well.

He said the Gamecocks will give him a chance to play early as long as he earns a spot.

"They're not the type they want to redshirt their freshmen just because they're freshmen," he said.

"They feel if you can come in and compete and get the job done, you're going to play."

Savage has been able to see himself playing for Auburn for much of his life. He said he grew up pulling for the Tigers in their rivalry with Alabama.

Savage said his fandom of Auburn will play a role in his decision.

"It's a pretty good pull," he said. "It's not too much of an all-time determining factor, but it plays a little part in it."

Savage will take his first official visit to Auburn on Jan. 11, followed by a trip to UT on Jan. 18.

Savage said he hasn't scheduled his official visit to South Carolina.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.