Tennessee made a strong impression on 2028 defensive back Quinn Pollock, and the visit clearly stuck with the three-star recruit from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Ga.
Pollock and his twin brother, Cole, were in Knoxville to see the Vols, and the trip gave the young defensive back plenty to think about as he continues sorting through schools in the 2028 class. For Pollock, the atmosphere around Tennessee stood out immediately.
“It was a great visit and an amazing atmosphere. Getting to see Tennessee get such a big win in Neyland was an experience I won’t forget. The fans were incredible and being able to celebrate with the players afterwards, hear Coach Heupel’s speech, and be part of the locker room celebration made it even better.”
He also spent time around the Tennessee staff, with Coach Poindexter and a little with Coach Heupel. That one-on-one interaction mattered to Pollock just as much as the game-day scene.
“I got to spend time with Coach Poindexter and a little with Coach Heupel and had good conversations. It was cool getting to know them better and seeing how they interact with the players. It was a great experience being around the staff on such a big game day.”
The visit came as Pollock and his brother continue moving through a busy round of campus stops. They still have several game-day trips lined up, and Tennessee is part of a wider list of programs they’re weighing.
“We still have a few game day visits coming up and as of now plan to go to Miami, Louisville, Florida and Auburn. We’ve also visited Florida State, Georgia Tech, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Tennessee. We’re focusing on schools we’re interested in and want to learn more about before making any decisions.”
Tennessee is not just a one-time stop for Pollock. He made it clear he wants another look at the program and would like to get back around the staff again.
“I’d definitely like to get back to Tennessee. I want to spend more time with the coaches and learn more about the program. We haven’t set a date yet, but Tennessee is a school I’m seriously considering for an official visit.”
For now, Pollock says there is no firm timetable on trimming his list, though he and his brother hope to have things narrowed down by next summer. The process, he said, is about finding the right fit on and off the field.
“I don’t have a set timeline for cutting schools yet but we’re hoping to make a decision by next summer. I want to keep building relationships with the coaches, visit the campuses, and figure out where I’d fit best and have the opportunity to help the team win.”
That feeling only grew stronger after the Tennessee trip. Pollock now says the Vols are firmly in the mix for an official visit, and the latest experience in Knoxville gave the program a real boost in his recruitment.
“There’s a great chance that Tennessee will be one of my official visits. I’m seriously considering the program, and this visit made me even more interested. I want to keep building my relationship with the coaches and learn more about what Tennessee has to offer.”
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Against South Carolina, Carter finished with three tackles, and it was the kind of effort that fit the tone Josh Heupel was trying to strike afterward when he addressed Tennessees performance. The suspension still hangs over Carters season, but the larger story around him is becoming clear: Tennessee has a linebacker playing with a lot on his mind, and an even larger purpose attached to every stop he makes. [Read more 🡒]