The Top247 junior defensive tackle from Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tenn., said Penn State and South Carolina recently have joined his group of favorites, which already included Tennessee, Duke and Vanderbilt, but the Vols still have a little bit of an edge over the others. Reitmaier added an offer from South Carolina in late February, and he picked up offers from Missouri, West Virginia and Georgia Tech last month. Penn State gave him his latest offer Saturday during his visit with the Nittany Lions. Tennessee now has a bit more competition for one of its top in-state targets, but he said the Vols have continued to impress him since he attended their junior day in February.
I think all the schools are on top, but I think Tennessee still has a little bit of an edge, said Reitmaier, whos ranked by 247Sports as the nations No. 154 overall prospect and No. 7 defensive tackle in the 2017 class. I would just say definitely my relationships I have with the coaches (stand out), and the fact that its in-state.
Reitmaier said he has stayed in frequent contact with Tennessee coach Butch Jones staff. He said Jones, defensive line coach Steve Stripling and first-year defensive coordinator Bob Shoop all talk with him on a weekly basis.
I talked with both Coach Stripling and Coach Shoop (on Monday), actually, Reitmaier said. We talk pretty much every day over (Twitter direct message) and call at least once a week. They just talk to me about how much they want me and need me up there, and they want to make sure I can get back up and keep in contact with them. I also try to talk to Coach Jones on the phone once a week. He also likes me to give him a call once a week. They all want me to just call and talk to them every week.
The Vols have continued to stress to Reitmaier, he said, that theyre short on depth at defensive tackle.
They keep telling me that theyre kind of thin in that area right now, and this has to be a big class for them, he said. Theyd like to start it off with me. Its a big defensive-tackle class for them.