The four-star junior wide receiver from Marietta (Ga.) High School said Tennessee is probably in his top two among the nearly 30 schools pursuing him coming off his visit to Tennessee earlier this month, with Ohio State and Auburn currently providing the Vols primary competition for him.
Theyre getting up there, like, in my top schools Im going to decide (between) probably top two, Keyton said Sunday after participating in the Atlanta-area Nike The Opening Regional at Buford High School. Its, like, a mix between those three, he added, referring to the Vols, Buckeyes and Tigers.
I feel like theyre going to be more successful with the new coaching staff change. (Pruitt is) bringing a whole new staff. Theyre really trying to win. Thats their main focus, so I like that. Keyton has visited Tennessee five times since September 2016, most recently having attended their junior day on March 3, and he said its not out of the question that he could make the trip to Knoxville again within the next few weeks.
He said his longtime recruiter for the Vols, offensive graduate assistant Caleb Cox, and new Tennessee wide receivers coach David Johnson already have talked with him about getting him back on campus. "Were trying to get me back up there for a spring practice, Keyton said. Coach Cox and Coach Johnson are trying to get me up there.
(I want to see) probably just how they coach. Are they, like, really good coaches? I know theyre good people, and they have good fans, so I want to see how their coaching is. Cox is a Marietta graduate and the brother of former Tennessee running back/wide receiver Derrick Tinsley, who is now Mariettas running backs coach. Keyton said he has known Cox a long time, and the two have developed has strong relationship throughout his recruitment.
Hes still getting to know Johnson, but Keyton said they talk, like, once or twice a week on the phone. When Im on the phone with him, after were done talking, he makes sure that Ive talked to everybody on the staff, Keyton said of Johnson.
