The feel was a little different for Tennessee football’s list of junior day visitors on Saturday in Knoxville.
Tee Hodge, the 2020 three-star running back from just down the road in Maryville, said it had to do with the size of the group. “You could tell (the coaches) really wanted the guys there,” Hodge told GoVols247. “It wasn’t really a big group. They had a small group down there.”
There was no mistaking the message, either. There was no mincing words. “They just want to put UT football back to where it should be,” Hodge said. “That’s what I’ve heard the most and couldn’t agree more. The whole goal right now is to put UT back on top, where it belongs. “That’s kind of what has been going on with the new coaching staff. Most of these guys know what it takes to win a championship. They’ve coached championship teams, been assistant coaches on championship teams.”
“Me and my family, we’ve discussed that plenty of times,” Hodge said of the distance factor. “It would be easy for them to come see a game. It would be nice for them to come see me play. Tennessee being right down the street, it’s pretty nice.” Hodge said when it comes to Tennessee’s staff, he hears from running backs coach
Chris Weinke and, more recently, has heard from wide receivers coach
David Johnson “a lot.”
Although he’s listed at running back, Hodge could project at a different position at the next level. The Vols haven’t specified a position at this point, but have told Hodge they like his size. He’s open to a move if necessary. “I would rather play running back,” Hodge said, asked about his preferred position. “Running back is where my heart is at. But if I have to play linebacker, if that’s where they really need me and that means getting on the field early, then I’ll do it.”
