Vols land 2016 R100 QB

Seemingly out of the blue 2016 Rivals100 quarterback Austin Kendall decided to commit to Tennessee. The Waxhaw (N.C.) Cuthbertson had been favoring the Volunteers for a while.

"Last weekend my parents and I sat down and we figured out it was between Kentucky and Tennessee," said the 6-foot-1, 198-pound Kendall. "When we weighed things out I really liked Tennessee the most. I really look forward to studying there and coach Jones has impressed me from day one. Coach Bajakian and coach Elder have impressed me also.

"I really like coach Bajakian," he said. "Going back to my freshman year I've been in contact with him, coach Elder and coach Jones pretty much every week. They always try to contact my coaches and I'll give them a call. I've been able to build a good relationship and it's been good from there."

Kendall's last visit to Knoxville sounds like it really sealed the deal.

"I was up there two weeks ago," said Kendall. "My family and I wanted to come back because I had never spent a night in Tennessee. I was able to spend some time with the players that night and get a feel for how they are. I spent the next day basically as one of the players except for practicing. I got a feel of how their life is and I liked it. It was kind of hard just sitting there watching them practice and not being able to get out there."

Tennessee has been a hot school on the recruiting trail since Butch Jones took over and Kendall will try to help in that department.

"I haven't looked into who I'm going to recruit yet," he said. "I'm going to be on the internet soon and I'll start recruiting. There are some guys I've seen on Rivals that I'll go after and some guys that are committed that I'll try to get to switch over."

It's clearly very difficult for Kendall to choose Tennessee over Kentucky.

"It was really hard," Kendall said. "I love both of them but it ultimately came down to feel. I like the situation here at Tennessee. I know they have two committed quarterbacks here at Tennessee. I'll obviously have to compete but I'm looking forward to that."

Kendall's brother, Ryan Kendall, is a preferred walk-on at Kentucky.