Rivals250 DE Latrell Bumphus commits to Tennessee

Tennessee’s successful Saturday continued when another major target jumped on board with his commitment. Rivals250 Savannah (Tenn.) Hardin County defensive end LaTrell Bumphus made his commitment official, pledging to Coach Butch Jones and his staff while on campus for the annual Orange Carpet Day recruiting event.

“I’m a Tennessee Vol,” the 6-foot-4, 230-pound prospect said. “I grew up a Tennessee fan and I’ve been one for a long time and now I’m part of the family.”

Bumphus choose the Vols over offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn and USC and said he’s known for quite sometime that he wanted to spend his college days on Rocky Top.

“When I got the offer from them it was always the one I was most excited about,” Bumphus said. “I went up for a visit and I thought it was the best place for me.”

Since bursting onto the recruiting scene earlier this year Bumphus took visits to several other campuses. But it was recent time on the field with Tennessee coaches at a satellite camp event in Knoxville that helped put the Vols over the edge.

“I really liked working with them on the field,” he said. “I really like the coaches they have. They made me feel like I was part of their family and they treated my family the same way. That was big for me.”

Bumphus was recruited by several schools to play tight end as well and said the Vols coaches may have to battle over where he will play once he gets to Knoxville.

“They said it’s up to me whether I play offense or defensive,” Bumphus said. “If I was on defense they said I would be a pass rusher. But I talked to Coach Scott and he said they want me to play tight end too. I don’t really have a preference. I like tight end but if they need me on defense that’s where I’m going to go.”

With his commitment, Bumphus joins safety Maleik Gray as the second member of the Rivals250 to commit to the Volunteers in the 2017 class.