Offensive lineman Pair fits for now at UT

When Marques Pair received his first scholarship offer, he didn’t need a second.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound offensive lineman from Sumter (S.C.) High School committed to Tennessee on Monday — just days after the Vols extended Pair his first scholarship offer.

“I’m ready to go ahead and get it over with,” Pair said Tuesday. “UT is the school for me. When they offered me, I went ahead and took it.”

Pair was also interested in Auburn. He was being recruited by the Tigers, South Carolina, North Carolina State, North Carolina and Clemson.

Pair visited UT on June 1 for the first round of summer camps. As he impressed UT’s coaches, Pair found himself impressed as well.

“The coaching staff was real good,” Pair said. “The stadium looked real nice. It stood out. The fan support that they had there, all that stuck in my head. I wanted to be a Vol. It all just came true.”

Pair seems to fit the athletic mold that UT’s first-year coaching staff is seeking to fill.

“You have to stay in shape and be able to move,” Pair said.

Soon after committing to UT, Pair was off to take part in a basketball camp where he plays center.

Pair said he hopes to improve his upper body strength before enrolling at UT. His footwork and agility, however, shouldn’t be a problem, according to UT’s coaches.

“That I’m a raw talent,” Pair said, recalling what he was told by UT’s coaches. “That I’m very coachable and my footwork is just amazing for my size.”

Pair said he’s also comfortable with UT’s offensive system, which is very similar to what his high school runs.

Pair plays left tackle at Sumter but expects UT to play him at right tackle, which is the position he worked at in UT’s camp.

Pair said he’s also looking forward to the discipline that UT’s coaches seem dedicated to.

“They’ll tell you exactly how it is, what you need to improve on,” Pair said. “They’ll help you improve. They’ll make sure you’re on time to practice and on time to class.”

Offering first won’t guarantee that UT will receive Pair’s signature on National Signing Day in February.

He said he’ll still consider the other schools that are recruiting him.

“I’m still going to look at them but for right now I’m going to be a Vol,” Pair said.

When asked what today was like knowing he had college paid for, Pair said: “It’s a whole lot better than the day before.”

Pair is UT’s 11th commitment and the third offensive lineman for the 2010 signing class.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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