Jay Rome wants to take a better look at Tennessee.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound tight end from Valdosta (Ga.) High School visited UT in April to watch UT's spring game.
Rome said he plans to return to Knoxville in the future for an official visit.
"I'm going to look at all the things they do with their tight end and how they utilize him in the offense and make my decision from there," he said.
Rome hopes to be utilized early in college.
He said UT's coaching staff has talked about the team's need at tight end.
Senior Luke Stocker and juniors Mychal Rivera and Ben Bartholomew are the only tight ends on scholarship.
"They're looking for a tight end to come in next school year and be a big part of the offense," Rome said.
Rome also has heard about UT's need at tight end from his former teammate, freshman safety Dontavis Sapp.
Rome said Sapp has enjoyed his first fall on UT's campus.
"He told me that they work hard and it's a great school to go to," Rome said. "He also said they're lacking at the tight end position after next year."
Rome has plenty of other options. He said along with UT he's considering Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Clemson.
He plans to take official visits to all five schools.
Clemson will be a school to watch. Rome's father, Stan Rome, played football and basketball at Clemson from 1975-78.
The chance to follow in his father's footsteps could play a role in Jay Rome's decision.
"I think it's something I'd really like to do," he said, "but it's not going to be the deciding factor."
Still Studying: Marcques Dixon from Dekalb High School in Decatur, Ga., is preparing to retake his college entrance exam.
The 5-10, 185-pound Dixon, who signed with UT in February, said he plans to take the ACT on Oct. 9 with the hope of enrolling at Tennessee in January.
Dixon said he's received encouragement from UT defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox during the process.
"He still has very high hopes for me in playing for Tennessee and helping his defense out and hopefully improving the team," Dixon said.
Future Visitor: UT appears likely to receive an official visit from linebacker Lamar Dawson from Boyle County High School in Danville, Ky.
The 6-2, 230-pound Dawson told InsideTennessee.com that Vols linebackers coach Lance Thompson visited Boyle County on Monday.
"He is recruiting me hard," Dawson said of Thompson. "He spent some time visiting with my high school coaching staff."
Dawson told InsideTennesse.com he's "pretty sure" he'll take an official visit to UT.
He said he's also considering Kentucky, Florida, Louisville, Michigan, Oregon and Southern California.
Josh Ward is a freelance contributor.
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Comments » 15
thevoice writes:
We need all of you guys!!! Is there anyway you can play this Saturday?
FWBVol writes:
Rome and Dawson would be huge pickups for CDD and his staff. I'm not one of those fans that puts a huge amount of stock in the number of stars next to a kid's name, but if if you are looking for star power these kids have it.
Both are 4-star guys and rated the No. 3 prospect in the country at their respective positions. Rome is a Rivals top 50 kid overall and Dawson is in the top 100.
Getting Rome could help open some doors in south Georgia, which is always good. And getting Dawson out of Kentucky would be extra sweet as the Blue Grass doesn't turn out a lot of football players.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Very,very well put.
Fun it shall be then!
Ayres_Hall writes:
I'll have NO fun if it means watching a team give up and quit like we did last week. I can stomach losing to the ranked teams if we compete hard for the full game and play physical. But it's never fun to lose.
You don't want me suiting up...
CarthageVol writes:
I know this is the wrong article for this but if Hamilton is replaced, why not get Tim Priest. He's an attorney in town, played DB for the Vols in the early 70's. He's intelligent and bleeds Big Orange. Just a thought. He's already involved with the athletic program. What do you think? How hard is the job, really?
allvols4life writes:
Do you have inside knowledge on the kid? You may be right, but at least tell us why you are saying he wont choose UT and not just an opinion. Are there facts out there that point to him leaning toward another school?
Volunatic writes:
It would be awesome if the Vols could land Jay Rome and Lamar Dawson.
Considering Dooley's comments about utilizing TEs, it would be great to have the best TE in the country on the roster here.
I'm also encouraged by the fact that LBs coach Thompson is the one going after Dawson.
Let's get these guys to commit to Tennessee.
GO VOLS!!!
givehim6 writes:
Yes come to UT Rome we need TE's we have 3 scholarship there has been much hype about the position but so far it's just been hype. {thought Stocker would be the next Jason Witton}
n2thecheckerboards2 writes:
fail
Mule_Days_King writes:
Kelvin Sampson?
oskie_score writes:
Spot-on FWBVol.
IMO, the current recruiting class as a solid foundation of (committed) 3* star players now CDD & Staff NEED some upper-level (4* & 5*) talent (on NSD) for depth and development if we/Tennessee want to compete for Division & Conference championships and BCS Bowls.
jesusvol4 writes:
If he can afford to buy any of them, we don't want him! That spells trouble! LOL!
VolGrad writes:
And you may speak, but we will not buy anything you opine.
Just sayin'.
10volunteers98 writes:
So,who are you?His daddy,his grandma,or just a Flu-ri-da Gay turd fan?
HtownVol writes:
Judging by his User Name he has no ties with a SEC team. He likely just sits at home visiting SEC Schools sites to try and see which teams are getting better. Then he goes to work (Dairy Queen) and tells the other kids that he was at the bar last night talking about "Big Boy Football" and explains what he learned about the SEC. He only talks down to Vol Fans because he has no knowledge of football to have a descent conversation on this comment board.
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