Tennessee first to offer Alabama DT

Oxford High School in Alabama has been getting plenty attention of late, thanks in part to a trio of sophomores that have gotten loads scholarship offers. However, when colleges flock to see Oxford play this spring and fall, they would be wise to look at a rising senior as well in defensive tackle Alan Carson.

Recently, Carson took an unofficial visit to Tennessee and on the trip, picked up his first scholarship offer from the Vols. On Thursday, Carson added his second offer in the University of Illinois.

Carson talked about his trip to Knoxville.

"I think it was like two or three weeks ago," Carson said. "It went pretty good. The facilities and stuff were nice. They're rebuilding the program from when the coach just left. They have new facilities and a new weight room. It's nice though."

As the first major program to issue serious interest to the athletic defender, the highlight of the trip came at the end with the offer.

"My coach said that they were interested and they told me to come up for their junior day," he said. "I went up there and I was talking to Coach Smith at first just talking about football. Coach Dooley called me up to his office and said we really like the way you play and we want you to come up here and said they were offering me. I felt like a dream came true.

"I always liked Tennessee but I never thought that I would get an offer from Tennessee," he continued. "I just never though that Tennessee was interested or anything like that. It just surprised me because it all came so fast."

Auburn and Kentucky were also giving Carson serious interest but Illinois jumped in to become the second school to offer. Carson's familiarity level with Illinois is not quite as high, but what he knows is positive.

"I just know that they're a big time program and play big time football," he said.

Up to now, Carson has attended junior days at Alabama along with Tennessee and he would like to visit LSU if he can. Beyond junior days, Carson has plans to hit as many college prospect camps as possible.

"I'm trying to go to every camp I can to be honest," he said. "If it doesn't interfere with anything I'll probably be there. I have to get out there and I have to have a fantastic senior season."