Melancon to take ‘a vacation’ at Alabama

The 6-foot-1, 260-pounder said he wants to visit Alabama to take advantage of a free trip.

"I don’t think there’s anything that will make me change my commitment to Tennessee," he said. "I’m just probably — well, I know I’m just going there to take a vacation."

Melancon took his only official visit to UT on Nov. 4. NCAA rules allow prospects to take five official visits. He said he wanted to take all five visits, but his schedule wouldn’t allow it.

It appeared UT would be Melancon’s only visit until new Tide coach Nick Saban made a strong push for him to consider a visit to Alabama in recent weeks.

"I guess that’s what I could say is making me go and take a visit out there," Melancon said.

Melancon chose UT over LSU, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Michigan and Nebraska in December. He said most teams backed off their recruitment when he announced his commitment.

"It’s been over with for me since the day I said I was going to be a Vol," he said.

No matter what happens on his visit to Alabama, Melancon said he plans to sign with UT on National Signing Day on Wednesday.

"Oh yeah, no doubt," he said.