The College of Canyons (Calif.) prospect picked up offers from two SEC schools Wednesday, getting phone calls from both South Carolina and Tennessee. My coach called me and said, You need to get on the phone and call coach (Walt) Wells. I think he got something important to tell you, Gerald told Volquest. At that time, I already knew what was going to happen. Coach Wells called me, we talked and everything. He told me he talked to coach Butch Jones and said that they wanted to offer me and have me come play for Tennessee.
Originally a Florence, S.C. native, Gerald wasnt recruited much out of high school, only getting interest from programs like Appalachian State. But never got an offer, so he went the JUCO route to get bigger, stronger and more exposure. After a year where he recorded 12 sacks, 24 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles, the interest has certainly ramped up.
South Carolina, Tennessee those are offers that people dream of having. Ive dreamt of this, Gerald said, gushing. It meant a lot to me and my family. Those two are huge. Distance from home, I cant get no further than California, so location wont really play a huge factor in my decision, but its great to have opportunities (so close to home). I cant put an emphasis on how great it is that schools back home in the South want me to come back home. That theyre expressing interest in me coming back.
Of course, Im going to have to work anyway. Im not saying I dont want to go anywhere and work, because I know Im going to work. Work is what got me here. But I want to know if (schools) are wanting me to come in and compete for a starting job? Do yall need me? And then just good relationships. Those two things are just huge for me.
Once Im committed to a school, Im 100 percent all in. Theres no turning back for me. Once I tell a school, Hey. Im yours. Im coming to you guys. Theres nothing else that anyone can do to turn me back from that, Gerald explained. So I want to make sure that choice Im making that the choice is right and going to help me and my family at the same time.