Yeah, theyre leading, Meredith told SEC Country. Ive never had a visit like that before I actually got recruited.
The 4-star prospect got ranked as a top-5 safety by 247Sports not even a month ago. He visited Virginia Tech shortly after the rankings pop. This was his first experience on a campus where he was treated as a top priority.
Tennessee is putting a good amount of effort into this recruitment for a reason. Meredith is an elite safety. The Vols have gone all in on him early and itll likely keep the Vols in the conversation regardless of which schools come calling until his final decision is made.
Tennessee offered Meredith over the weekend. The only reason it didnt come a few weeks ago was that the staff was wanting to it in person on the visit. He said the offer meant a lot because hes never been given this much attention from a staff before.
Thats what this might ultimately come down to when a decision is made. Meredith values building relationships with the coaching staff and he did a lot of that this weekend.
Coach Tino [Sunseri], [Charles] Kelly and Montario [Hardesty] showed lots of love, Meredith said. They treated me like family and that was really my first time meeting them, so it just felt good. I feel like they really get to know their players and that you could really talk to them and have regular conversations about anything.
Pruitts talk with Meredith stood out, though. The first-year coach made it clear the Vols need playmakers in the secondary.
I had a meeting with Coach Pruitt, Meredith said. He was telling me how they need DBs and if I were to come, I would be with the 2s if I started practice yesterday and that I remind him of [NFL star Tyrann Mathieu].
Thats high praise for the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Meredith. Mathieu starred at LSU before going on to have a great NFL career.
Meredith plans to return to Knoxville for the Florida and Alabama games this fall. He said itll depend on what his own football schedule looks like, but its a great sign for the Vols he wants to come to two games.
Overall, the visit went about as well as it could have for Tennessee. The coaching staff impressed, the campus stood out and even Neyland Stadium did its part to recruit Meredith.
We got to the stadium and it was amazing, he said. I heard it was one of the loudest stadiums in the country. Loved it. I could definitely see myself playing there.