arie kouandjio has a lot of work to do and that has nothing to with saturday’s u.s. Army all-american bowl.
The offensive lineman from dematha high school in hyattsville, md., will take three official visits before he announces his college destination feb. 3 on national signing day.
Kouandjio will visit alabama on jan. 16 and miami on jan. 22. Tennessee will host the 6-foot-6, 315-pounder on jan. 29, which will be his final official visit.
Kouandjio already has taken official visits to california and new mexico and said he is “still open” to all of those schools, as well as notre dame and maryland.
He has proven to be one of the most versatile offensive linemen on the east, having practiced at center, guard and tackle — the position he prefers.
“i like being out there with fast people because i like to run,” he said. “i always liked to run. I like to display my speed.”
the vols have put themselves in position to land kouandjio.
“i like them a lot,” he said. “they’ve been showing me a lot of attention ever since i met them. Even though that gets a little bit crazy sometimes with all of these colleges, it still shows that they really do want me. I really do like them for that.”
kouandjio seems sold on ut’s coaches. He’ll evaluate the players during his official visit.
“i like the coaches a lot,” he said. “i just want to get down there and meet the players.”
kouandjio said he’s intrigued by ut’s vacancy on its offensive line.
“i think that’s a big deal for me because i want to play early wherever i go,” he said.