Cooper Mays still 'a top priority' for Tennessee, will visit again soon

When Cooper Mays first showed up on Tennessee’s campus back in late February, the 2020 offensive lineman from Knoxville Catholic (Tenn.) had a bit of an uneasy feeling.

Jeremy Pruitt and the new staff had already reaffirmed Cooper of his scholarship offer, but after his 5-star brother Cade Mays had spurned the hometown school, Cooper wasn’t sure how hard Tennessee would still recruit him.

Turns out, he had nothing to worry about.

“After something like that goes down, I felt a little bit awkward going there for the first time since Cade’s decommitment and then commitment (to Georgia), but the awkwardness was really just more on my end,” Mays explained.

“Like going in there, leading up to it, I was anxious because I didn’t know how it was going to work out, but it was refreshing to hear that I’m still a top priority for them.

“As soon as I got there, they didn’t bring it up or anything, acted like nothing even happened and just went along as business as usual.”

After getting some quality 1-on-1 time with Will Friend in February, Mays was back at Tennessee last week to watch a practice. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound center noticed a tangible difference in how the Vols go about their business under Pruitt compared to Butch Jones' staff. Mays described “a culture change” and a renewed sense of energy with the team.

“What really stood out to me was how intense the practice was,” he said.

“I was at practices with the last coaching staff, and it didn’t compare. This new staff has picked up it a notch with their intensity and everything. They just demand perfection.”

Mays, who is the youngest son of former Vols offensive lineman Kevin Mays, has begun to develop a relationship with Friend, saying, “He’s a really good guy. He’s really personable. More than that too, he’s a good coach that’s intense. I like that a lot. Off the field, he’s really personable and easy to talk to.”

In addition to Tennessee, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Duke and Mississippi State have all offered scholarships to Mays, and on Tuesday, Florida and Auburn joined the list, too.

The Gators are trying to get Mays on campus this spring, but the 2020 prospect already has plans to attend UGA’s practice this Saturday and then be back at Tennessee on April 14.

Right now, Mays is happy is recruitment continues to grow without the shadow of his older brother.

"For a while a lot of people thought I was just getting interest because of Cade. Just as an extra enticement for him or whatever to get to come there," he said.

"But I really feel the love from Tennessee's new staff. They told me I’m a top priority even now that Cade is gone, which makes me feel really good about it all."