Don’ta Hightower knows Tennessee offers a good football program and a future after college.

That’s why he hopes the Vols also offer him a scholarship.

UT has shown it’s at least interested. UT coach Phillip Fulmer visited Hightower’s school, Marshall County, last month.

Hightower said he was proud to receive a visit from the head coach of a program that recruits nationwide.

"When they’re in Tennessee they’re looking for the best," Hightower said. "To have Coach Fulmer come down and personally meet me and talk to me face-to-face, that made me feel like a special person and special player."

The linebacker/defensive end from Lewisburg has scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Alabama, Middle Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder said he’s also received strong interest from Auburn, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Ohio State and Michigan State.

Being an in-state prospect, Hightower said he believes a football career at UT would present an endless amount of opportunities after college.

"If you get recruited to Tennessee, everybody wants you to go to Tennessee," he said. "Most companies, they love Tennessee. The thing I really like about Tennessee’s program (is) they send a lot of defensive players to the draft to the NFL."

Hightower’s scholarship offers from Ole Miss and Alabama let him know he has opportunities elsewhere.

Their coaching staffs have made sure that’s clear.

Tide coach Nick Saban visited Hightower last Friday to present the scholarship offer. Ole Miss assistant coach Hugh Freeze made a visit on Tuesday.

Like Fulmer’s visit, Hightower said he was surprised to find Saban standing in his school hallway.

"Knowing that he’s been around, he’s been to the NFL, he’s been in college a while," Hightower said, "that shows he knows a lot and he knows what he’s doing."

Hightower said UT will have an advantage in his recruitment because it’s close to home. If a scholarship offer arrives, he can expect to hear pressure to pick the Vols.

But, would that affect his decision?

"You would think so," he said, "but when it’s all said and done, I have to actually sit down and think and talk to my family.

"It’s me going to college and not everybody else."