While icy roads prevented Tennessee from holding its first Junior Day event of the calendar year, some recruits were still able to make it into Knoxville.
This was the case for 2025 cornerback Courtland Guillory who received an offer from the Vols during his trip.
The rising prospect broke down the visit and the recent pickup of his recruitment with VolReport.
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While Guillory and his father were able to make the trip despite the weather, they immediately felt the cold.
"When I walked off the plane, the cold air hit like wow," Guillory said.
The temperature outside would be the only thing cold on the visit, however, as the mutual interest levels heated up during the trip.
"I was able to tour all the facilities, and they were nice," said Guillory. "I saw the training rooms, weight rooms and the fields. The first time you really visit a big school like that, everything stands out."
The heat turned up once he was able to take in the basketball game against Alabama.
"It was really a dope experience," said Guillory. "It was a snowy day, but there were a lot of people packed in to watch the game. I noticed how the energy was rocking, and I could only imagine what the environment in the football stadium would be like with more people."
That passion and energy are things the cornerback is looking for, not just in the fanbase, but in those who could potentially be coaching him at the next level.
He has had the opportunity to get early introductions with some of the defensive staff, and energy was a focal point. That tends to happen when meeting Mike Ekeler, who recently visited his school to check in on him.
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"Coach Ekeler brings a lot of passion and energy," said Guillory. "I'm a player that brings the juice. It's a big thing to bring that energy onto the field, and I can tell he brings that with him."
That energy he brings on the field has caught the attention of the Tennessee coaching staff, who likes the 6-foot-2, 175-pound recruit as a big cornerback.
"Coach Willie Martinez likes me as a corner," said Guillory. "He likes that I'm a long corner and what I bring in bump and run coverage. It's been all corner so far. He likes that when I step on the field, I bring energy to the game and make plays. I play with excitement, and the whole stadium can feel it. That's what stood out to Martinez."
That length offers intriguing upside at the corner positions, as does his experience on the basketball court.
"Basketball really teaches a lot, and there are skills from basketball that translate I can bring over to the football field," said Guillory.
The recruitment process is beginning to heat up for Guillory as he's picked up offers from Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Kansas and TCU, in addition to the Arizona State and Eastern Illinois offers he already held.
His combination of skillset and energy has caught the attention of elite programs and Tennessee is making the effort early to be a factor.
The interest is mutual following the visit, where he was able to connect with cornerback coach Martinez and personnel analyst Roman Goode, who want him to come back to campus moving forward, especially for a football game.
"I definitely plan to be back for a game this fall," said Guillory.
In the meantime, he's focused on becoming a leader on his Klein Oak High School football team.
"This next year, I really want to improve to being the best teammate and stepping up as a senior," said Guillory.
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