Tennessee’s showdown with Alabama gave the Volunteers a chance to impress a long list of visitors, and one of the names that stood out was Braylen Mathis, a 2030 prospect from Knoxville.
Mathis, an athlete from Grace Christian Academy, already has offers from Tennessee, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. After the visit, he described the trip to Vols on SI as a big one for him and his family.
"It was a great game as well as a great visit. It was a fun experience for me and my family, and it was a great opportunity to build relationships with coaches," Mathis said.
That part mattered most for a player who is still very early in the recruiting process. Mathis is a high school freshman, but he is already drawing attention and continuing to build connections on campus.
During the visit, he spent time with multiple Tennessee coaches, including one of the more notable position coaches on the staff.
"I had the chance to speak with coach DC (Deonte Cruse) and Kelsey Pope. They were both just very awesome and welcoming. They made me feel at home even though I’m already at home, since I'm actually from Knoxville, Tennessee," Mathis said.
The matchup itself clearly left a mark too. For a Knoxville prospect, being inside Neyland Stadium for Tennessee-Alabama brought a different level of energy, and the fans were the part that stuck with him most.
"What caught my eye the most is the fans. They are really involved in the game and have the desire to help their team from the stands," Mathis said.
He also said the setting lived up to the billing.
"I’ll be honest, the atmosphere was top-tier. The game was intense, and I was able to take part in post-game celebrations after the game," Mathis said.
Mathis, who recently posted highlights showing 24 receptions, 479 receiving yards, 650 all purpose, and 7 touchdowns through seven weeks, said he would like to make it back to Neyland again, though he does not have a firm timeline.
"I don’t really have a timeline but I would like to visit Neyland for another big-time matchup in the future," Mathis said.
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