The Class of 2022 outside linebacker from Oswego (Ill.) East High School said Monday night that his offer from Tennessee last week was "definitely a big deal," and the Vols are "definitely top-five, as of right now," among the more than a dozen schools currently pursuing him.
"The Vols are a historically great program, and as my first SEC offer, I was very excited," said Badie, who's ranked the No. 49 outside linebacker in the 2022 class and the No. 13 junior from Illinois, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Badie said he learned of the offer during a conversation with Tennessee defensive line coach
Rodney Garner. Badie said he also has spoken with
Mike Ekeler, the Vols' new outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator, and defensive quality control analyst
Nanumi Lolohea.
"Coach G made the offer, and they said that my film blew them away with my ability to do so many different things at my size and the athleticism and speed I possess," Badie said.
He said Tennessee has indicated that it envisions him playing a versatile role in the Vols' new defense under Heupel and defensive coordinator
Tim Banks.
"They are recruiting me as a hybrid player," Badie said. "I think they call it the gator, where I have lots of different responsibilities and am used in a lot of different ways. Sometimes I’ll be rushing the passer as an end, dropping back and playing run defense as a linebacker or playing a free-safety type. It all depends on play-calling."
Badie said he's interested in making a trip to Tennessee's campus at some point. But with his spring football season set to start later this month, and with the ongoing dead period for recruiting already having been extended through May 31 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said he's not sure when he will have a chance to take a closer look at the Vols or any other team.
"I would love to take a visit, if possible," he said. "But with the dead period and my schedule, nothing is for certain just yet."
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