'16 TN TE/LB Austin Pope (UT commit 6/15/15)

#51
#51
I played baseball with this kid's older brother and used to be friends with his sister. I'm pretty sure everyone in his family is an Alabama fan and that's where his sister went to school. He lost his dad this past year to cancer. That family has been through a lot, and it's good to see him have so much success. Hopefully he ends up in orange!
 
#54
#54
"I called coach (Butch) Jones and after a couple of minutes on the phone he threw me an offer," Pope told Volquest.com. "I'm completely overwhelmed right now with the Arkansas offer, the Mississippi State offer, the Ole Miss camp and now the Tennessee offer. I'm just flattered I have the opportunity to play at such prestigious school. "This week has been nuts. It has been unbelievable. I'm completely overwhelmed right now. This is my third SEC offer in three days.

"It means the world. Like I told coach Jones and like I told coach (Bret) Bielema, any SEC offer means the world to me. To be able to play in the SEC is a huge opportunity," Pope explained. "But, especially at Tennessee, the opportunity to play at a place like that with such prestige and tradition and it being my hometown is awesome. Everyone wants to get offered by the hometown team so that means a lot. I couldn't imagine a guy that it wouldn't. I honestly am stunned right now. I can't describe how I'm feeling right now."

"Recently, I heard the quote that it's not just about the next four years, it's about the next 40 years," Pope said. "So, I'm making this decision not based on the next four years but on the next 40. Because wherever I go will probably play out for the rest of my life and I just want to make the right decision. So, I guess you have to take it as a business trip, I don't think there's any other way you can. I'm going into it with an open mind

"UT's a great school and a great program and it has all the biggest and best of everything that's out there. But, if Tennessee's not the best fit for me I have to go somewhere else. I don't know where that fit is yet and that's why this summer has been good for me to camp around and going everywhere I possibly can to see these big-time schools."
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-VQ
 
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#63
#63
He high points the ball incredibly well. Also has a great first step after the catch.
 
#64
#64
Well if he's looking for playing time, we got it. If he's looking for family, we got it. If he's looking for prestige and tradition, we have it in spades. If he's looking for a place to call home, no better place.
 
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#65
#65
Pope was at UT's camp today.

He had a really good day camp wise and Tennessee left a big impression. He really liked coach elder.
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-Hubbs


Do they take both Pope and Brooks?

I believe it's trending that way if Pope wants on board. I don't think they offer a local kid unless they are ready to take him.
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-Fortenberry
 
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#66
#66
Callahan update...

"I spoke earlier with three-star TE Austin Pope of Christian Academy of Knoxville following his visit to Tennessee today for its camp, and it sounds like the Vols really made a big impression on him. He said it was an "eye-opening" experience, and UT's coaches made it very clear to him that they want him. Pope said he really enjoyed working with Vols tight ends coach Mark Elder, and he definitely could envision himself playing for Elder.

Pope isn't ready to name any leaders or anything like that, but he admitted he's really intrigued by the idea of playing at Tennessee after getting an offer from the Vols on Saturday night. He's still going to Missouri tomorrow for a camp and visiting Nebraska this weekend, and he's talking about possibly going to USC later this month and Georgia next month. But he said he's not really sure what his plan for making a decision might be at this point.

We'll see what happens with his next couple of visits, but I got the impression in talking with Pope that Tennessee definitely made a move today. He said he plans to talk with some guys like Todd Kelly Jr., who worked out with him growing up, about his experiences at UT to get a better feel for the program, but he seems to really like the Vols at the moment. Of course, that's coming right after a visit, but Tennessee gave him plenty of attention today and really showed him a good time.

We'll have a full story on Pope's visit tomorrow morning."
 
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#68
#68
"I think to just how much they want me. I know they offered me, but today talking to coach Jones in his office, working with coach Elder all day it was eye opening," Pope said. "Going through all the drills everyone was fantastic. I felt the love from them all day. That was definitely a great thing today. To have that camaraderie with coach Elder and coach Jones. He came over and talked to me throughout the drills. He told me what I was doing wrong and helped me get better. Coach Elder taught me a lot about playing tight end and splitting out at wide receiver. I definitely learned a lot and had a great time.

"He's a jokester, but at the same time he worked us really hard. We grinded all day. He taught me a lot of stuff. Coach Elder is definitely a coach I could play for. He's a good guy. I love him to death."

"I know TK (Todd Kelly, Jr. ) very well. I actually worked out with him growing up. He's a resource I will use to ask them is it all that everyone says it is," Pope said. "I know the stadium is awesome and the material stuff is awesome but at the end of the day, do you love playing for UT or not. Talking to those guys and seeing what real life is like there definitely helps out a bunch. I know Brett (Kendrick) the most out of all of those guys. I actually talked to Brett and TK today. They stopped in to say hi and told me to go ball out. What they tell me will definitely play a factor in what they tell me about how much they actually like it."

"Oh yea, it definitely did (left an impression)," Pope said. "I know the coaches offered me and that's a big time SEC offer. But to feel like … when you walk into the stadium and do 1 on 1's and you do well and you see the coaches getting hyped for you and all that stuff. It definitely left a huge impression on me as to how much they want me here. And to hear that from coach Jones himself that definitely leaves a huge impression."
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-VQ
 
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