UCLA CB commit details 'amazing' official visit with Tennessee
Jeremy Pruitt is hoping to revitalize Tennessee’s program, and looking to flip Warren G’s son to help regulate the process.
Olaijah Griffin has been committed to UCLA since late July, but the Top-50 prospect from Mission Viejo, Calif., “loved” his “amazing” official visit with the Vols this past weekend.
"Tennessee is a great place,” Griffin said, noting that it’s the first school he’s ever visited outside of California.
"The vide of the college city. It's nothing like I've ever experienced before. Everywhere you go it's about the football team. The whole city is just exciting.”
Pruitt and new defensive backs coach Terry Fair convinced Griffin to give the Vols a look, and based on first impressions, the new staff knocked the visit out of the park with the 4-star corner.
Griffin has extensive ties to the Volunteer State — with lots of family members, including his uncle who attended the OV, living in Chattanooga — noting that distance won’t be a deterrent in considering the Vols.
“This is where my family started from,” he said.
With three senior cornerbacks exiting the program, Tennessee is offering Griffin the opportunity to compete for immediate playing time. The fact that Fair has NFL experience and Pruitt’s background includes coaching 1st-round draft picks like Jalen Ramsey and Marlon Humphrey gave the Vols a strong salespitch, too.
“I feel like Fair is a great coach and can get me to the next level,” Griffin said.
“You see those guys, they’re in the NFL and doing good. I feel like if I did come to Tennessee, he could get me to that next level. To be honest, I feel like I could see myself here.”
Griffin was even more complimentary of Pruitt, saying, “They said they need a corner. That I fit their defense and that I have a great opportunity to start. He’s an amazing coach. I feel like we could win a championship with him.”
Was the “we” an interesting Freudian slip?
Well, Griffin insisted that he’s still committed to UCLA, but the Under Armour All-American said he won’t make a final decision until February. The Bruins’ coaching change has give him some pause, allowing schools like Tennessee to pounce on a possible flip.
“I know Chip Kelly is there and he’s a great, but one of the main reasons I committed there is because of Jim Mora and Demetrice Martin.”
Griffin is slated for January official visits to USC (Jan. 12), UCLA, Auburn and Michigan, and those visits have a lot to live up to after his experience on Rocky Top this weekend.
“I’m committed to UCLA right now, but I’m not signing until February. Right now I’m still committed, but I really like Tennessee.”