For the second time in a week, Tennessee dipped into the Yellowhammer State to poach a prospect coveted by SEC schools across the Southeast.

Mammoth defensive lineman LeDarrius Cox committed to the Vols on Wednesday, telling VolQuest, “It was just that time.”

Cox is now the third hard-commit in Tennessee’s 2019 class, joining 4-star offensive lineman Jackson Lampley and 3-star tight end Jackson Lowe.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound lineman from McGill Toolen (Ala.) gives Jeremy Pruitt’s staff the beef it covets for its 3-4 defense, and the Vols can thank veteran assistant Tracy Rocker for landing the true nose tackle.

Tennessee’s new staff immediately made Cox a priority upon taking over on Rocky Top, offering Cox a scholarship on Dec. 12. He also had offers from Georgia, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and LSU — visiting all four schools before making his decision Wednesday.

“I knew this is where I wanted to go,” Cox said.

“I wanted to go into spring ball not thinking about my recruitment and just focus on my season. It was all about coach Rocker. He’s a great coach. He played in the NFL and sent guys to the NFL. I want to be a part of that.”

Cox visited Tennessee with his mom on March 3, quickly connecting with both Rocker and Pruitt. His mom felt comfortable during the trip, too, making his decision today quite easy.

“My mom is all for it. She loved it, too,” Cox said.

“I’ve stayed in touch with Rocker (ever since). He’s always checking in on me. Tennessee is somewhere I want to be.

He checks on me about life, not even really about football. He wants me to be a better man and he can help me become a better man.”

In 2017, Cox recorded 46 tackles and six sacks as a junior, earning honorable mention all-state honors for a program that lost in the Class 7A State Championship Game. He can now focus on his senior season, with a return trip to Tennessee as a commit coming soon.

“They went nuts when I told them (today),” Cox said.

“They was very excited. They loved it. I talked to the whole staff (this morning). I’m looking forward to getting back up there.”