Lacey likes Rocky Top
Imagine 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds gracefully strolling over and hauling in the pop fly in center field. It happens from time to time as does some work at first base for South Warren's Jacob Lacey. That's when football is on the back burner.
"We do football in the morning and then baseball in the afternoon so it keeps me in pretty good shape," Lacey said with a chuckle. "I enjoy it a lot. It's a little different and gives me something different to do when football isn't going on."
The talented defensive back from Bowling Green, Kentucky was in Knoxville last weekend and was very happy to see the new look Tennessee staff.
"As soon as we got there we were greeted by coach (Brady) Hoke," Lacey said. "After that, we got together with coach (Walt) Wells and we toured the facilities a little bit. I talked with coach Jones and he said he liked that I had gotten bigger. They told me they are coming after me hard. I got to talk to coach Strip even though he isn't the main defensive line coach."
And the fact that Stripling is still a part of the program is a very nice piece to the puzzle.
"I think that was a great idea to keep coach Strip around," Lacey said. "He' a really cool and dedicated person. So the fact he stayed around is great and coach Hoke is a really good coach so I'm glad he is there."
In charge of his recruitment from the Tennessee side is new offensive line coach Walt Wells. Wells family still lives in Bowling Green from his time at Western Kentucky.
"His daughter goes to Greenwood which is right beside my house," Lacey said. "We have a good relationship and it's like he is already my coach. We joke around and he is really cool."
The visit also included time with some of the team and that was basically a first for Lacey.
"Just getting to meet some of the other players," Lacey said. 'I haven't gotten to do that much before. I got meet some of them and I was able to that by meeting (Jonthan) Kongbo and others and that made it feel more like family."
A member of the 2019 class, Lacey is still a long way from his signing day. And at this point in the game, he does have a good feel for Rocky Top.
"There is no reason to not like Tennessee," Lacey said. "Their facilities and the coaches and just everything about them. It feels like a family there and they work hard and don't take shortcuts. They do the best they can."
Louisville, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Penn State and Clemson are all pushing to get him on campus. He will be at Penn State this weekend and will see Clemson next weekend.
"I want to know the real sides of each coach," Lacey said. "I feel like I have that feeling with Tennessee. They are the sane people all the time and they are real. They will get into you as coaches, but they care about their players."