Volunteer Country

Vols Making Peach State Back Damari Alston 'Feel Loved'

Vols Making Peach State Back Damari Alston 'Feel Loved'

Matt Ray

Alpharetta, Ga.-- With over 50 offers in hand, the recruiting process is fast-paced for Woodward Academy (Ga.) running back Damari Alston. Schools like Penn State, Florida, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Miami, Ohio State, and numerous others continue to recruit him heavily. 

Tennessee has become a player in his recruitment since Josh Heupel arrived in Knoxville. 

"Right when coach Heupel got in the office, he hit me up and told me I was one of the top running backs on the board," Alston said at Sunday's Atlanta Under Armour camp. "He watched my film and everything, and they are going after me hard now. They are trying to change the whole program around well. They are trying to get back on track."

Tennessee's new staff is a little late to the party, but the quick work by Heupel coupled with the energy the Vols have shown him since has made an impression on Alston.  

"It makes me feel loved," he said. "I got the same energy they are giving me. My only thing is getting up on campus and seeing the coaches." 

Recruits are hopeful to start taking visits in June and Alston will make plans to see Tennessee at some point. He has yet to set any official visits, but he is continuing to work towards that. 

"They are good people," Alston said of the Tennessee staff. "Coach Heupel calls me and texts me and all of my family. It is not always about football. He just wants to get to know me a lot more. Same with coach mack. He is a good dude. It is really going good."

Tennesee's fast-paced offense is something the Vols are pitching to the Peach State standout. "That is a wide-open opportunity," he said. "At my high school, we run our offense the same way. They spread me out as a receiver, so that is the type of offense I am looking for.”

Getting to take some upcoming visits will be huge for Alston and could help propel a team to the top of his recruitment, as a summertime decision could be on the horizon. 

"I am thinking I want to do it in the summer before the start of my season." 

Published
Matt Ray
MATT RAY

Matt Ray is the publisher of Sports Illustrated-FanNation's Volunteer Country, serving as a beat reporter covering football, recruiting, and occasionally other sports. Matt also is a lead analyst at Sports Illustrated All-American, Sports Illustrated lead authority in high school recruiting coverage. When not at work covering the Tennessee Volunteers or the recruiting trail, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife Destiny traveling the country. 

Home/Recruiting