Q&A: Vereen fulfilling his dream

The running back from North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville, N.C., signed a national letter of intent to play football for Tennessee on Feb. 7.

Playing college football has been a long-time goal for the 5-foot-11, 187-pound Vereen. He talked about his development into a Division 1 prospect and preparing for his time at UT in this GVX Q & A.

Q: What was your most memorable moment from an official visit?

A: I think it might've been the first night when we ate at the skybox at Neyland. It was at night. They had the lights on. Just looking up and seeing it while you ate your dinner, it was just so nice. It was amazing. It was unbelievable really.

Q: What was your least favorite part of the recruiting process?

A: Just all the phone calls and text messaging and all the nagging and all that. I was ready for it to be over. It was real tough for me being committed for almost eight or nine months. I was committed, but I still had people trying to get me and trying to persuade me and asking me what I needed or what I wanted. It was difficult.

Q: You committed to UT in June. At the time, did you think that would end the process?

A: Yes. I thought it was going to be done with that commitment. I was just really more shocked that they were still coming after me when I was at a solid verbal.

Q: How did you handle the recruitment from other schools?

A: I still approached it as I made a commitment to Tennessee. I'm a man of my word and I stayed with that commitment.

Q: Who has made the most significant influence on your football career?

A: The one that developed me the most was Thump Belton. He's from Charlotte and went to Syracuse. He played a couple of years in the (NFL), and then he played on the practice squad for Denver last year and he's going to be on the team next year. I just worked a lot with him during the season. I actually started working with him right after basketball season.

Q: How much has Belton helped you?

A: He was a big help because he really pushes me and he teaches me stuff that you wouldn't learn until you've been through college or in the league.

Q: What kind of advice has he given you?

A: He told me to expect everything to not be going your way. When you're in practice or in the game, there are going to be some days when everything's not going your way.

Q: When did you know you would have a future in football?

A: I guess probably my 10th grade year. There were a lot of coaches believing in me. I started getting mail to go to spring games after my sophomore season. That's when I really started thinking that I could.

Q: Has playing college football been one of your goals for a long time?

A: A real long time, since when I first started playing the game when I was eight years old watching it on TV. I saw them playing in front of all those people and watching them have fun and doing what they love.

Q: Do you model your game after anyone?

A: I look more like an Edgerrin James-type. I have quick feet and stay on my tippy toes. I watched him more with Indianapolis. That's more how my running style is. I use more moves. I like to use all my moves, like the spin, stiff-arm, juke. I like to use everything.

Q: What are your goals at UT, short-term and long-term?

A: For this freshman year I'm really just trying to get on the field and just trying to help out the team as much as I can. Long-term, I guess you've got to have big dreams. I always dreamed about being an All-American. I have to say that's what I'm aiming for.

Q: What is your favorite part about playing football?

A: Just being able to be out for like two, two-and-a-half hours, just being able to be a different person and have a whole different personality.

Q: What kind of mindset do you have when you're playing?

A: The mindset I take, I have no friends on the other team. I might know somebody else on that team, but I don't know you. I just get this mentality where nobody can beat me.

Q: Who is your favorite athlete?

A: My favorite athlete would have to be Reggie Bush. He's amazing. He just makes plays that you don't see every day. I really just try to do what he does. I wonder if I can do that when I see it. I wonder if I can set somebody up.

Q: What do you think of the Houston Texans' decision to pass on him with the first pick in last year's NFL Draft?

A: They made a mistake, but I guess everything will work out for the best.