A coin toss leads Whitehead to picks Vols over Bruins
UCLA really intrigued Len'Neth Whitehead, a big athlete out of Athens (Ga.) Athens Academy. The Bruins recruited him early, Whitehead loves L.A. due to his passion in drama and he gave Chip Kelly's program a lot of thought, but Tennessee won out.
The 6-foot-2, 230 pound was all Tennessee a month or so ago, UCLA then re-entered the picture, but after thinking things over and talking to some close to him, he decided on the Vols.
The Peach State talent has committed to Jeremy Pruitt to play running back.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
"I was all Tennessee and I kind of had made my decision about a week before UCLA offered," said Whitehead. "When I got that offer, I thought about it and I wanted to go out and visit because I always liked the idea of getting out to L.A., going to school there and things like that.
"I went out there with an open mind, I had a good visit and they gave me something to think about, but Tennessee is the school.
"I actually flipped a coin and it landed on the side I set for UCLA. But someone had told me if it didn't feel right when you saw the coin land on that side, then I should go the other way.
"It kind of hurt when I saw it land on UCLA, so I knew my heart was telling me Tennessee.
"There are a lot of things I like about Tennessee. I like the location, I like the community and support around the program and I like the relationship I have with the coaches.
"I made my decision last Thursday, then I told coach Pruitt Friday and he was really excited.
"I am excited about the class we are putting together, how we can be a big part of building the program up and what we can do at Tennessee in the future."
RIVALS REACTION
Whitehead had offers to play running back and linebacker on the next level, but his heart is on offense. He wants to run the football and at that position, he runs with power, balance and he has nice hands out of the backfield. For whatever reason, if things don't workout at running back, he can very easily slide back to inside linebacker. Whitehead is a quiet young man who is not all about the drama or attention that comes with being a top recruit. He goes about his business, works hard, takes pride in his work ethic and he should be a pleasure to coach in Knoxville.