While Tennessee has missed out on key instate players from the 2017 and 2018 classes, Jeremy Pruitt and his new look Vols hope to change that in 2019. That will start with one of the best players in the state in wide receiver Trey Knox. The new Vol head coach reached out to Knox after taking over to make sure he knew that he was coming for him.

"It meant a lot the the new man in charge was reaching out to me," Knox said "Just to reach out and let me know he is here and he is locking down the state of Tennessee."

The chat with Pruitt had a different feel compared to the last staff at Tennessee. Knox liked the approach and the quiet confidence.

"He felt like he was so sure of himself," Knox said. "He was very confident and he knows he can coach and will make a turnaround at UT. He felt excited and energized to be at a new place and turn it around and start winning."

It's all about tossing the ball around for Knox. He is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country and wants to play for a school that will showcase his attributes. Will that be Tennessee?

"He said he loves to throw the ball around and loves big receivers," Knox said. "Playmakers that can go up and get the ball. He said he needs big time plays made by playmakers and I'm one of those guys."

With less than a full staff, Tennessee has used coordinator of high school relations, Patrick Abernathy as on the road recruiter this past week. The longtime middle Tennessee native has been instrumental in getting Knox to campus this weekend.

"We are going to watch the basketball game and hang out with the staff," Knox said. "I talk to coach Abernathy and he said they wanted to get me up. I wanted to get in with the new coaching staff and get to building a new relationship."

And when he arrives, he'll see a familiar face that is back in orange which makes Knox very happy. That familiar face is Pruitt's newest hire, Austin Thomas.

"I know him well," Knox said. "We always talked a lot when he was at LSU. He's a good guy honestly and laid back and down to earth. You can talk to him at anytime. I think it's easy for him to recruit to a place that he's passionate about."

Rivals.com ranks Knox as a 4-star wide receiver in the class of 2019.