Tennessee is in the thick of the race for Maddox Porter, and the Battle Ground Academy standout made it clear Friday night that the Vols have already done plenty to stay in the conversation.
Porter, who is ranked as the No. 3 player in the class of 2029 and is being talked about as one of the best wide receivers in the country in that group, said Tennessee has been pressing hard for him. After Battle Ground Academy’s game against Milton, he opened up about where things stand with the Vols and what he’s looking for next.
"I would say that is the case for sure (Tennessee is pushing hard for him). I have a great relationship with him.
I've been up to Tennessee, and it's a great environment. I haven't got out to a game day yet, but I am going to the Alabama game, so hopefully it lives up," Porter said.
That visit is the one he’s most eager to experience, and he knows exactly what he wants to see once he gets there.
"I'd probably say the environment, and probably how the team comes out and plays, like a mindset going into the game, and if I can see myself playing with them," Porter said.
Porter’s connection with Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope goes back a long way. He said the relationship started when he met Pope in eighth grade and has only grown since then.
"I met him in 8th grade, and it's only gone up since, so I would say that I have a great relationship with him," Porter said.
He also pointed to a former Tennessee receiver he studies and admires.
"I would definitely say that a receiver I look up to is Chris Brazzell. He is a lengthy receiver, and he just throws the deep ball, and how dominant he is on the field. I could see myself in his shoes, Porter said.
Pope’s message to him has been simple and direct.
"His advice to me has been to just go out and dominate. Don't get complacent at the position I'm at. it's easy to get complacent, but he has told me to go out there and dominate every moment," Porter said.
For now, Porter says that Alabama game trip is likely his only game day visit, though he does expect to get back to Tennessee again in the spring.
"That's probably my only game day visit, but I will probably try to get up there and visit in the spring, but that's just my only game day visit," Porter said.
Tennessee will be part of a crowded list of schools Porter is considering. He said Notre Dame, Georgia, Oregon, Ohio State, and Alabama are also in the mix.
"I got Notre Dame, Georgia, Oregon, Ohio State, and Alabama I'm pretty sure," Porter said.
Even with that group, Porter said Tennessee has made a strong impression. Being an in-state prospect matters to him, and he said that gives the Vols a natural place in the picture.
"I would definitely say they are a top school. They have shown me how much they care about me, and just being an in-state kid, I feel like that's where you dream of going. I haven't really had a school that I looked up to, but I mean, it's Tennessee, and it's in-state," Porter said.
He added that Tennessee’s approach has stood out because of how consistent and genuine it has been.
"I say, just keep on being themselves, keep on being authentic, and just be real with me. They have been doing everything right," Porter said.
As for when he might start trimming his list or make a decision, Porter gave a rough timeline.
"I'd like to be somewhere with cutting schools or committed by the end of my junior year," Porter said.
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