Timothy Merritt is one of the most dynamic defensive backs in the country.

He's used to delivering fireworks on the field, and on National Signing Day, the four-star safety delivered one of the biggest flips of the day.

Merritt, the No. 28-ranked SAF in the nation out of Birmingham (Ala.) A.H. Parker High School, flipped his commitment from Miami to Tennessee.

He signed on the dotted line with the Vols on Wednesday.

"They have showed love since my junior year," Merritt told Rivals of his decision to pull a National Signing Day flip to Tennessee.

"They treat me and my family like their own and my family is why I do this," the four-star safety added.

Merritt made a string of visits to both Miami and Tennessee over the past few months as the two programs jockeyed for position with the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder.

The Vols' persistence paid off, especially down the stretch, adding the blue-chipper to fold.

"They never stopped recruiting me," Merritt explained. "Even after I committed, they said they had to have me ... they said they were never gonna give up on me, and that's really what pushed me to commit."