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Marty Everett is anxious to make his first trip to Tennessee.

Everett, a defensive tackle from South Sumter High School in Bushnell, Fla., said he had hoped to take an unofficial visit to UT this summer. Transportation problems, however, left him unable to make the trip.

Still, Everett said he’s planning to take an official visit to UT in the fall. His interest in the Vols extends back to last fall, when they offered Everett his first scholarship.

“It was great,” he said of receiving the offer. “I was really happy. I fell in love with that school.”

The 6-foot-5, 299-pound Everett said UT was once his leader, but he no longer has a favorite.

Everett said he has scholarship offers from seven other schools: Florida, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Central Florida and South Florida.

Everett said UT has done nothing to drop from the top ranking on his list of schools. He just has no up-close images to better judge his interest in the Vols.

“I haven’t been there yet,” he said. “I’m going to weigh my options out.”

UT has made a good impression on Everett from afar. He said he watched many of the Vols games on television last year.

“They had a good season last year,” he said. “They had a close game against Florida (The Gators won 21-20).

“I watched the defense and offense. They stood out.”

Alabama is another team that has recently stood out to Everett. He said the Tide have made him feel wanted by recruiting him the hardest.

“They’re trying really hard to get me,” he said. “That’s one of the things I like.”

Everett also likes the new coaching staff at Alabama. He’s being recruited by tight ends coach Ron Middleton, and Everett said he’s enticed by the idea of playing for head coach Nick Saban.

“It’d be fun,” he said. “I could tell you that.

“That’s going to be something to see this year. I think they’re going to be good this year.”

Everett said he will attend a football camp at Alabama on July 22.

The only two schools he’s visited are Florida and Central Florida.

Everett has built a relationship with the Florida coaching staff through his cousin and former Gator linebacker, Earl Everett.

Marty Everett said his cousin, who signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals after he was not drafted, hasn’t pressured him to choose the Gators.

“He hasn’t told me too much,” Marty Everett said. “He just told me to go wherever I feel is best for me and help benefit me.”

Everett said the chance to stay in-state and play for the Gators won’t be a factor in his decision.

“Location isn’t a big thing to me,” he said. “The school is what I’m looking for.”

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.