The 6-foot, 165-pound Pope said he’s a cousin of Tennessee defensive lineman
LaTrell Bumphus, a former Hardin County standout. Pope is also a teammate of four-star Class of 2021 tight end
Hudson Wolfe, one of the Vols’ top in-state targets.
Pope said he "was very excited" to find out that he might have a chance to follow in Bumphus’ footsteps and play at Tennessee, adding that the offer from the Vols "showed me and all the people around me that hard work pays off."
“I love Tennessee,” Pope said. “I knew in my heart that one day God would bless me with the offers because of the work I put in.” A wide receiver and cornerback at Hardin County, Pope said he’s “not really sure” which position the Vols currently are recruiting him to play, “but I am an athlete.”
During his sophomore season, he caught 35 passes for 758 yards and six touchdowns on offense while also recording 28 total tackles, four interceptions, five pass breakups and a tackle for loss on defense.
“I can go either way,” he said. “Whatever helps the team.” Pope said he thought it might take longer for a major program like Tennessee to extend an offer to him. He said he “didn’t think it was gonna happen with (the coronavirus outbreak) going on.”
“I knew I had to continue to work hard and show them that I can play SEC football,” he said. But Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt’s staff likes what it already has seen from him. “I spoke with Coach Friend and he told me we will talk later this week with Coach Pruitt,” Pope said. “He said I am a heck of a player and I worked hard.”
Pope said he was “born and raised” in the Volunteer State and “always loved Tennessee.” But even with his cousin playing for the Vols, he said he hasn’t visited them to this point or even set foot on Tennessee’s campus. He’s hoping to change that soon.
“My trainer had that on our schedule for this summer,” Pope said. “Coach Friend also said he wants to get me up there ASAP.” While Pope’s recruitment is just getting started, he said he expects to give the Vols strong consideration. “Tennessee is my first SEC offer, so I will definitely show them love,” he said.
It also doesn’t hurt that he’s surrounded by plenty of Tennessee fans and he has a family connection to the program. He said Bumphus, a rising senior, has spoken highly of his experience with the Vols.
“I grew up around Tennessee fans,” Pope said. “My cousin plays at Tennessee, and Hardin County is covered in orange. We come from a big family, and every time (Bumphus) comes home, he tells me how he loves Tennessee.”
Pope said “a lot of schools are showing me interest,” including “other SEC schools.” He didn’t mention any particular programs that might be on the verge of extending offers to him, but Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Austin Peay are among the schools he has visited over the past couple of years.