Miles Campbell wants to be part of what Tennessee is building
THE SITUATION: A couple months ago, this was looking like an ACC battle between Georgia Tech and North Carolina State for Miles Campbell. At one point, the Wolfpack held a substantial lead in the recruiting race for this athletic 6-foot-4, 230 pound tight end at South Paulding High in Douglasville, Ga., but over the last six weeks or so, Tennessee turned it up a notch, and the Vols have landed this playmaker.
The Tennessee coaching staff put a lot of time and effort into Campbell over the last month-plus, and it has now paid off. On his 17th birthday, Campbell made his public commitment to Tennessee.
The decision was made a couple of weeks ago though, and Jeremy Pruitt and his staff this announcement was coming.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: "Tennessee really grew with me over the last month or so," said Campbell. "Talking with coach Osovet, coach Chaney and coach Pruitt more and more just changed things for me over time. There wasn't a specific moment that I knew Tennessee was the right school for me, but just over time. I talked more with the Tennessee coaches, I talked about it with my family, and I was say I knew for sure about two weeks ago that I was going to Tennessee.
"Things really shifted for me when I took that last visit to Tennessee before the virus hit. Before that visit, North Carolina State and Georgia Tech were going back and forth as my top school. That visit made big changes for me, and that is when Tennessee really moved up my list.
"The relationship has grown from that visit and the time together during the quarantine just kind of topped it off. On that visit, they showed me their plan, I got close with multiple coaches and they have made me feel special since that day.
"The key for me with Tennessee was there was no fluff. They were straight up with me, and that really made them stand out. From the jump, they let me know I was pretty high on their board, how they were going to use me, and they treated me like I was already on the team.
"I gave Tennessee the news Friday May 8 and I gave coach Osovet the news first. Coach Osovet then set up a FaceTime call with coach Pruitt later that day, and all has been good since. I let them both know I would be going to Tennessee and we were all excited about it.
"They have a lot of momentum, and the coaches are the key to that. They know how to build relationships with players, there is no fluff with the Tennessee coaches and I want to be part of this 2021 class that makes a big impact in the future of Tennessee football.
"It is huge for me to be committed to Tennessee. They were a powerhouse in the 90's, they fell off a little, but they are building something special, and I want to be a part of it."
RIVALS REACTION: This is another huge get for the Vols. There has been no hotter schools over the last month than Tennessee. Campbell is the 13th prospect to commit to Tennessee since April 10. And he is a big get. With his size, ball skills and versatility, he will give the Vols a big weapon in the passing game. Campbell was one we really wanted to see live and re-evaluate this spring, but that will have to wait until the season with all events canceled. He is a playmaker. He had a monster junior season, his body has developed over the last year and he still has room to grow. Campbell had over two dozen offers, and if schools that were still evaluating him would have had that in-person eval this spring, that list likely would have grown. Tennessee landing Campbell is big for this program. He was trending another direction not too long ago, but the time and effort the staff in Knoxville put into this one over the last two months has paid off.