“Basically, I just wanted to confirm things to myself,” Akporoghene told Volquest. “I committed to Tennessee back in the summer and I just wanted to clarify that my decision was the right one. So I took those visits to let myself know that I did the right thing.”
The difference for Akporoghene was the personality and culture of the Tennessee program.
“It was the family feel at Tennessee,” Akporoghene said. “I realized it was the place for me and that’s where I want to be. I have a family feeling with them and I have a chance to come in early compete and earn a job.”
This weekend, Akporoghene got more reassurances as he spent the weekend on Rocky Top hanging out with many future teammates. He also did a bit of his own recruiting, trying to get 4-star tailback Noah Cain to join him in Orange.
“It was great. I got to meet those guys. Some of them I had never met in person. So getting to talk to them and see what their mindset was,” Akporoghene offered. “What their goals are. One thing is for sure everyone is coming in ready to compete. No one is coming in to stand on the side. Everyone is coming in to show what they can do and everyone has the mindset to win. That is what I was able to find out this weekend.”
Before he arrives in January, the offensive lineman returns to Florida to finish the fall semester with final exams and complleting a journey that’s make him more prepared for college.
“It’s been a heck of an experience, coming from a 2A school in Knoxville to a top-5 school in the country,” Akporoghene offered. “At first it was a hard transition. But as time went on I started getting it. I understood how it was. IMG has prepared me because I have gone against the best players in the country. I have gone against guys like Nolan Smith and Noah Cain in practice everyday. I think it has prepared for college.
“Traveling with all my teammates going to another state and competing against another team who is the best in what they do. That has helped me get college ready. Stuff like that has prepared me. I chose to go to IMG-Academy because I knew it would prepare me for the next level."
