Tennessee won’t have to worry about any walls surrounding the border of Alabama as it recruits William Ming.

The defensive end from Athens (Ala.) High School has received scholarship offers from 16 schools, including UT, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Georgia, Notre Dame and Florida State.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Ming attended UT’s junior day on March 1. He has also taken visits to Alabama, Notre Dame and LSU.

Ming said his trip to UT was as good as any visit he’s taken.

“Everything was extremely nice,” he said of UT’s campus. “I thought their indoor facilities were probably the nicest I’ve seen. Of course (Neyland Stadium) stands out because it’s just huge.”

Ming said he’s kept in touch with UT defensive end Wes Brown, who graduated from Athens in 2005.

Ming said he can reach out to Brown if he ever has any questions about the Vols.

“All he has is compliments for the coaches,” Ming said of his talks with Brown. “I’ll e-mail him and ask him questions and stuff. He just says their coaches are great.”

Ming said he was able to spend time with UT coach Phillip Fulmer and defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell during junior day.

Ming said UT’s coaches told him his position is a high priority in the 2009 class. That’s a factor Ming will consider in his decision.

“That would definitely be a top thing to be able to get to play early,” he said.

Another factor for Ming will be proximity.

He said he wants to play close to home so his parents will be able to travel to his games.

Ming said that gives UT another advantage.

“That’s one of the things that will help them,” he said. “Knoxville is only about four hours away. You can drive right up the interstate.”

Ming has grown up an Alabama fan, but he said neither the Tide nor Auburn will have an advantage just because they’re in-state schools.

Ming said he will consider the job being done by Alabama coach Nick Saban, who Ming believes can add to the Tide’s already rich tradition.

“I think he’s a great coach and he’s doing good things to make them rise,” Ming said.

Ming said he plans to attend Alabama’s spring game Saturday and UT’s Orange and White Game on April 19.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.