Vol Report: Welcome, Spring Enrollees!

UT RELEASE: Tennessee’s five early-enrollee freshmen spoke to reporters on Thursday

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee freshman spring enrollees Deandre Johnson, Riley Locklear, Will McBride, Shanon Reid and Trey Smith spoke to reporters on Thursday in the Peyton Manning Locker Room at Neyland Stadium.

The newest Vols spoke about their decisions to enroll early and why they chose Tennessee.

#73 Trey Smith | Freshman Offensive Lineman

Smith, who is a five-star recruit and rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation by ESPN, shared what went into his decision to stay in his home state and play for the Vols.

“Tennessee just means so much more and the representation of my brand and the things that Coach Jones really introduced to me in recruitment, those are all factors that led up to it. I think one of the biggest things that led me to come to the University of Tennessee was the players. They are great men. The players are the guys that are really going to be my inspiration, the guys that I am going to work with every day in the training facility, the guys I am going to get better with and the guys who are going to mold me into who I am today.”

#21 Shanon Reid | Freshman Linebacker

Reid and his new teammates were introduced to Vol Nation on Wednesday at the Tennessee men’s basketball game against South Carolina. They were greeted with a warm reception and cheers and Reid looks forward to representing the Orange and White.

“It was crazy standing in front of that many people. Now that everyone knows who I am, I have to uphold a high standard. I can’t let it get over my head. It was wonderful knowing that that many people show up for a basketball game.”

#56 Riley Locklear | Freshman Offensive Lineman

Locklear attended two of Tennessee’s biggest wins of the 2016 season. After watching the Vols crush Virginia Tech, 45-24, in the Battle at Bristol on Sept. 10, he took in UT’s historic 38-28 comeback win over Florida on Sept. 24 from the stands in Neyland Stadium.

“The first game that I saw was the Bristol game. I went to the Bristol game and that was a great experience. The first game I saw at Neyland was the Florida game. It gives me chills thinking about playing in front of that many fans. I love it.”

#13 Deandre Johnson | Freshman Defensive End

Tennessee hired new director of strength and conditioning Rock Gullickson earlier this week and Johnson and his fellow newcomers have had the opportunity to meet the newest addition to the UT coaching staff. Johnson is looking forward to working with Gullickson in the weight room.

“Rock is cool. He is the opposite of what you think a strength coach looks like. He is a very cool guy. He attacks the job from more of a mental standpoint. He knows the body well and he uses science.”

#7 Will McBride | Freshman Quarterback

McBride, who chose Tennessee over Memphis, Boise State and Utah, shared what went into his decision to enroll early at UT to begin his college football career.

“We started talking about it last spring when I started getting offers and graduating early really does help. Just getting a head start and put yourself in a position to compete early and have a chance to start. We decided to do what was necessary for me to graduate early in the summer so I took care of that to have the option.”