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Donte Rumph is trying to avoid the outside pressures of the recruiting process.

The defensive end from Calhoun County High School in St. Matthews, S.C., has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Clemson, South Carolina and Virginia Tech. He said his three favorite schools are UT, Clemson and Florida, a school he believes is close to offering.

His family members have one favorite — Clemson. Rumph’s uncle, Chris Rumph, is the Tigers’ defensive line coach, and his cousin, Phillip Merling, plays defensive end for Clemson.

Donte Rumph said he constantly hears the pressure to follow his family members to Clemson. That’s a choice he isn’t ready to make.

“I just don’t want to make a bad decision,” he said. “If I do pick Clemson it’s not a bad thing, but I want to have my options out there.”

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Rumph said he’s trying to keep his focus away from recruiting. His bigger priority is his upcoming senior season.

“After the season all that will fall into place,” he said. “I’ll have more time to think about it. I’m trying to keep things kind of mellow.”

UT has given him a reason to keep his options open. He’s had an interest in the Vols since they offered him a scholarship last fall.

Rumph said he attended UT’s game against LSU at Neyland Stadium on Nov. 4 and could picture himself fitting in.

“I felt like I was a Volunteer,” he said. “I liked the atmosphere. I love the stadium. It’s loud and the fans are alive.”

Rumph said he’s impressed by UT head coach Phillip Fulmer.

“He has a lot of experience,” Rumph said of Fulmer. “He’s someone I can talk to if I have a problem.”

UT also has a player on its roster Rumph can talk to, cornerback DeAngelo Willingam, who graduated from Calhoun County in 2005. Rumph said he spoke to Willingham earlier this year, but his presence at UT won’t influence his decision.

“That would make me feel more comfortable,” he said, “but it’s not really a big factor.”

Rumph said he will likely take official visits to UT and Clemson this fall. He said he also wants to visit Florida, a school he hasn’t seen yet.

Although he’s still waiting on a scholarship offer from Florida, he has a simple reason to be interested.

“They’re a winning team,” he said. “I like their attitude.”

Rumph said he will be looking for a program with a family atmosphere during his official visits, which he will take following his senior season.

“You can’t get anything accomplished if you don’t have a strong relationship with your coaches and teammates,” he said.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.