3/10/2020 football Edit

That first offer stands out for 2022 DB JQ Hardaway

Chad Simmons • Rivals.com

Recruiting Analyst

Chad Simmons is a Recruiting Analyst for Rivals.com. He was the expert on The Next Class on Fox Sports South from 2011-2015. He currently covers Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

His official name is Jonquis, but everyone that knows him, calls him JQ Hardaway, so the 6-foot-3, 175 pound defensive back out of Columbus (Ga.) Hardaway who goes by two letters in his first name is someone starting to attract major interest.

Kentucky and Troy offered last month, but the first school to offer was Tennessee, and the Vols pulled the trigger over eight months ago.

"The University of Tennessee was first to offer me and they offered June 1, after I did camp there," said Hardaway. "Tennessee offering me first meant a lot. I didn't even have expectations of getting offers from SEC schools, so when they offered me after camp, it really opened my eyes.

"That offer pushes me to work that much harder because coaches believe I can play at that level. I believe more in myself now because of that first offer."

Hardaway had five interceptions as a sophomore, and that was with schools not throwing his way too often. When talking to coaches, he said they have complimented his size, length and football IQ.

He has hit it off with one of the coaches in Knoxville and the Vols are high on his list.

"I like coach Ansley a lot. He is the defensive coordinator and he knows the defensive backs position and we have been talking about once a week. He knows a lot about my position, he has a lot of knowledge and I like him.

"I also like the fans at Tennessee. I have been there for camp, then I was there for game during the season, and the fans really impressed me. It was loud and they love their team.

"Tennessee believing in me first will definitely keep them in my top five. There is a lot to like there. I am liking Tennessee a lot."

Another coach that Hardaway has connected with is Kentucky's Jon Sumrall. Since the Wildcats offered, the two have stayed in touch and the first trip to Lexington is likely to come in March.

Auburn, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Virginia Tech and others are showing interest in the long, rangy defensive back. His offer list will expand in the coming weeks, months.