“My second time going up there, it was a better experience for me because, when I went up there the first time, it was really Jordan’s visit and I was just there just to be there,” said Tobe, who’s ranked by 247Sports as the No. 60 safety in the 2023 class. “But this time, to actually be getting recruited by them, it was a way better feeling and I had, like, a way better experience.”
Tobe, who’s now being pursued by more than a dozen schools, said Tennessee is recruiting him as a possible cornerback, while most other teams envision him playing safety at the next level. He said he spent time with Vols defensive backs coach
Willie Martinez, defensive coordinator
Tim Banksand linebackers coach
Brian Jean-Mary, among others, during last week’s visit.
“I hung out with Coach Martinez a lot, and the DC,” Tobe said. “I hung out with the DC a lot, too — Coach Banks.
“My main recruiter is Coach BJ, Coach Brian. He’s the main recruiter for my area,” Tobe added, referring to Jean-Mary. “I hear from him all the time — like, at least once a week.”
Tobe’s conversations with Tennessee’s coaches last weekend, he said, were focused on “really just getting to know them.”
“They were just letting me know that I was really a top priority for them and that they would continue to be recruiting me,” he said, “and for me to just keep on doing what I’m doing, keep up in school and just hopefully be a Vol.”
Phillips, who recently joined the Vols as an early enrollee from their 2022 recruiting class, also caught up with Tobe and another of his former Ocoee teammates, Class of 2023 edge rusher
Calvin Smith, during last week’s visit. Smith also received an offer from Tennessee in late October.
“When I went to the junior day, me and my other teammate, Calvin, we actually stayed with Jordan for a while,” Tobe said. “And he was just talking to us about Tennessee and how, as a friend, he would want us to go wherever it makes us happy. But he said he would love for it to be at Tennessee. He said he thought it would be good for us because, what they’re doing with the program, he said it would really benefit us.
“He said that Tennessee was the one giving him the best chance to play at the next level beyond college. That’s what he told us.”
Tobe admitted he “would love to” reunite with Phillips at the next level.
“Jordan’s been my teammate since I was a freshman in high school,” Tobe said, “so I would say we’re pretty close.”
But the chance to join Phillips in Knoxville is hardly the only reason Tobe is intrigued by the possibility of playing for the Vols, who are one of three SEC teams currently pursuing him, along with Arkansas and Kentucky.
“Their facilities are the best of the best,” Tobe said of Tennessee. “And, also, (I would like) being able to play in the SEC and be a part of a championship program, too.”
