Another Stokes likes the Vols
Back in February wide receiver Je'Ron Stokes announced his intentions to attend the University of Tennessee. His younger brother, quarterback Malik Stokes, may follow in his footsteps.
The younger Stokes, a 6-foot, 157-pound pro-style quarterback from Philadelphia (Penn.) Northeast, recently attended a camp at the University of Tennessee and has since picked up his first verbal offer.
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"I went down (to Tennessee) for camp two weeks ago," Stokes said. "I knew they liked me already because they had seen me on film. I went up there because they wanted to evaluate me. I worked out two days during the regular camp and for the senior camp that Saturday.
"They were watching me and evaluating me, just keeping a close eye on me. They were watching my footwork, my mechanics and my arm. They definitely liked me."
They liked him so much it was not long until he received word they would be extending a verbal offer. Colleges are prevented from extending written offers to juniors until September 1.
"They said they really like me," he said. "They appreciated me coming out to their camp and asked me if I would like to be a Vol. I told them I would definitely be interested. I'm going to go through the process but they're definitely my leader."
While Tennessee is the first school to extend a verbal offer to Stokes, other schools have been involved.
"There are a lot of schools on me right now," he explained. "Some of them are Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland, Penn State, Florida State and Clemson.
"To me, everybody is a possibility right now. I'm going to give every school a fair chance."
Stokes said he realizes that as a rising junior he has plenty of time to make his decision and does not feel rushed. That said, Tennessee is clearly his favorite. Is that largely because of his brother Je'Ron's decision, or does he see the same things in Tennessee that led him to commit?
"(Je'Ron) is definitely a big draw to Tennessee but I've been around (the school) while he's been going through the process. I've been up there some and I've definitely interacted with the coaches.
"They love what I have to offer, not just as Je'Ron's brother but myself and what I bring as a quarterback."
As a sophomore at Northeast, Stokes passed for 1,300 and had 16 total touchdowns.