The recruitment of Rivals100 quarterback Jarrett Guarantano is coming down to the wire. The Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic star competed at the Rivals Quarterback Challenge Presented by Under Armour in Atlanta on Sunday then drove up to Tennessee that night for a two-day visit. It sounds like Butch Jones' pitch made a big impact on Guarantano.

"That night after the camp we went to have dinner with the coaches and then we went to a team meeting," said the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Guarantano. "After that I hung out with some of the players. We really talked about the program and how much they love me in Knoxville.

"With the players I got to talk about the coaching staff, how they work and what the campus is like outside of football," he said. "I got the chance to hang out with Josh Dobbs and Josh Malone really the whole time. We got some pizza and hung out in the room talking."

Monday was a very busy day for Guarantano.

"On Monday I woke up and had a two-hour meeting with coach DeBord about their offense, going over how I fit and talking about some of the things they do," Guarntano said. "After that I did some academic things at the academic center. Then I had lunch with the coaches again at their facility. I finished that and went to a meeting about school and early enrollment. Then I went to a football meeting and watched a skill development practice where they used the cones and did some tempo stuff. There was another meeting after that about the NFL stuff and we went to the stadium and ended up at the women's basketball game. I got a chance to see the dorms when we were on the campus tour. We got to see the academic stuff too and I've already seen the other football stuff."

Guarantano, who is planning on enrolling early, learned a lot from Volunteer offensive coordinator Mike DeBord about what his future at Tennessee could look like.

"They get into the shotgun a lot and they do some zone read," he said. "The pass concepts are really like an NFL system. The way they call plays and the way they line up is all an NFL system. We talked about whether or not I was more comfortable in the shotgun or under center. I told him that it is 50-50. I like being in the shotgun and being under center. I also said how I like the threat of running every once in a while. That's the type of offense I generally want to be in. It's an offense that has pro-style schemes but I can also run the ball a few times a game. I think that's what's best for me and my future health.

"He said that he is going to run things that fit me best," said Guarantano. "We watched film on Dobbs, Tom Brady, Chad Henne and Brian Griese. We went over plays and different concepts. I do love running the read option and running the ball. That's definitely going to be something I do at the next level not a lot but in situations when you need a first down or on the goal line. We watch Dobbs and I think he's going to have a great season. Coach said he runs a little bit more than I would be running. I can picture making all the throws like he does."

Butch Jones and the Guarantano's have a special relationship because Jones was at Rutgers during the time that Guarantano's father, Jim, was playing for the Scarlet Knights.

"Whenever coach Jones and I have a meeting it's really like we pick up where we left off just because of how close we are," Guarantano said. "It's not really a meeting it's just us sitting there talking about everything. We are so comfortable around each other and it's really great having someone in your life like that, even if I don't go to Tennessee, I know that no matter what I do he will definitely be there for me. It's just the type of guy he is. He has known my family for a while. My mom and my dad really do trust coach Jones because they have known each other and know how great a guy he is. I wouldn't say him being in college with my dad has a big impact but I think them having a great relationship does help."

Guarantano's leader has changed a lot of the past few months but it sounds like the Volunteers have moved to the top of the list.

"I really don't know at this point," Guarantano said. "All three teams are pretty much tied in my mind because I have to process everything. If I had to name a leader it would probably be Tennessee right now with Rutgers right there. I think Tennessee is my number one right now. I still like Rutgers and Ohio State a lot. I'm probably going to make my decision very shortly. I don't know about a visit to Ohio State right now. It's something to think about. If we want to we can pick up and go but I'm really not sure right now."

The end of Guarantano's recruitment looks like it is quickly approaching.

"I need to talk to my dad about the decision date," he said. "They could happen as early as next week or three weeks from now."

At Sunday's Rivals Quarterback Challenge Presented by Under Armour, Guarantano won the "Rocket Arm" award.