Vereen tells North Carolina ‘I’m a Vol’

Vereen, a running back from North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville, N.C., has been committed to Tennessee since June.

He received very little recruitment from North Carolina before he committed to the Vols, but when head coach Butch Davis replaced John Bunting in November, Davis and his staff made a strong push for Vereen to reconsider.

"They were knocking the doors down," he said. "That made me really have to stop, sit down with my parents and think about this decision I’m going to make."

The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Vereen agreed to take an official visit to North Carolina on Jan. 12. He said he was impressed with the Tar Heels’ coaching staff and academics, but he told North Carolina on Tuesday he plans to stick to his commitment to UT.

"I’m 100 percent Tennessee," he said. "I’m a Vol."

Vereen had an in-home visit with UT assistant coaches David Cutcliffe, Trooper Taylor and Kurt Roper on Wednesday night. Vereen said they discussed UT’s academics and athletics, and he told them his commitment was firm.

Vereen, who took an official visit to UT in December, was in Knoxville for an unofficial visit last weekend. He said he used the trip to see UT from a different perspective.

"I got more time really to spend with the players," he said. "On the official, that whole Saturday you’re doing things with academics and all that. You have more time to see what the social life is all about (on an unofficial visit)."

Vereen said he spent time with sophomore running back LaMarcus Coker, who told Vereen to be patient when he arrives at UT.

"He told me really it’s not always going to go your way," Vereen said. "You’re not always going to be that No. 1 or No. 2 running back.

"There’s going to be those days where it seems like the whole world is against you. That’s a part of being a running back at Tennessee."

Vereen said he likes the idea of sharing carries in the backfield so his body can last for a full season in the SEC.

"If you want to be the No. 1 only running back in the SEC," he said, "you’re not going to make it through the whole year. SEC running backs take a pounding."

Calling Mr. Jones: Vereen said he’s spoken to receiver Dwight Jones from Cummings High in Burlington, N.C., about choosing UT.

The 6-5, 210-pound Jones has been committed to North Carolina since February, but he’s strongly considering UT and Clemson.

Vereen said he plans to contact Jones, who visited UT on Jan. 12, before National Signing Day on Feb. 7.

"I’ve got to," Vereen said. "I might have to find his number somewhere and give him a call."