Melancon likes Vols, Hawgs, Rebs
Rivals250 defensive tackle Rolando Melancon of Lutcher (La.) High recently took his first official visit, has a current top three and is planning to take more official visits following the completion of his high school football season.
"I took my first official visit to Tennessee a couple of weeks ago for the LSU game," he said.
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The 6-foot-2, 260-pounder enjoyed his time in Knoxville.
"All of the coaches and the players are real close. They are like a family. They are real close to each other. I like the hills up there. I am from way down south, so I've never seen anything like that.
"I also liked the fans. The fans in Rocky Top are so crazy."
The Vols made enough of an impression to move them into the top group for Melancon's services.
"On top right now has to be Tennessee, Arkansas and Ole Miss are leading right now," he said. "LSU, Nebraska and Michigan are still in there, too."
He plans to set up official visits to Oxford, Miss., and Fayetteville, Ark., soon, though he doesn't have the dates nailed down.
"Arkansas and Ole Miss are the two next ones," he said. "We are just playing it by ear whenever the state playoffs are over. The playoffs are over for sure on Dec. 8. My Ole Miss visit is set up for Dec. 1, but I don't know if I am going to be able to take it because of the playoffs."
Melancon insists that LSU still is in the mix, but he likely won't end up there.
"They are still up there, but I'm looking to leave the state," he said. "They are still definitely one of the top five."
Melancon had Lutcher into the second round of the state playoffs.
"I'm having a wonderful season," he said. "I'm close to 50 tackles right now with a lot of those behind the line. I have two interceptions on the season and one in a district game, I took back 54 yards for a touchdown.
"That's one thing as a defensive lineman I can do. I can cover running backs. I have great speed for a lineman. Even when I am triple and double teamed, I can get out and play in space and cover guys."
Melancon is a four-star rated prospect.