Despite growing up in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado linebacker Santino Marchiol knew quite a bit about Tennessee.
In fact, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound four-star linebacker was at a Tennessee football game in Neyland Stadium as a child and the experience has stuck with him ever since.
My mom is from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and she would always talk about how great Tennessee is, Marchiol explained. We went to a Tennessee game when I was younger, maybe 6 or 7-years old, and I remember the atmosphere and the environment. Ive kind of always liked it from then on. Then, last summer we visited it again and it was awesome.
Until his trip back to Knoxville last summer, Tennessee was just a memory. But, after visiting and seeing what the program had to offer, the Vols have become real contenders.
Tennessee has always been one of my dream schools if not the dream school, Marchiol said. Its a beautiful place. I saw it once last summer on a bus tour with other prospects. I fell in love with it. It has a great atmosphere.
Since then, Tennessees coaching staff has been communicating with Marchiol, who will play at IMG Academy his senior season, and he feels like hes wanted in Knoxville.
You always want to go to a place that wants you and I can tell with these coaches and how they treat me and how much they want me on this visit, I can tell its a place that really wants me, Marchiol explained. Thats what you look for. Not just a big name school.
Plus, Im graduating early and I want to be able to play early and Tennessee has two linebackers graduating after this year.
Besides Tennessee, Marchiol is considering offers from Ole Miss, LSU, Ohio State, Stanford, Nebraska, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Mississippi State, UCLA and several others.
His plan is to make an announcement towards the end of his senior season.
Im still going to visit a few places and take my official visits, Marchiol said. Then, Ill commit during my football season on senior night.
- Fortenberry