Myles Pollard breaks down Tim Banks and Vols' pursuit
Myles Pollard’s relationship with new Vols defensive coordinator predates Tim Banks’s brief tenure on Rocky Top.
In fact, the former Penn State assistant handed Pollard is second offer back when his recruiting process began.
“I know coach Banks and we have a really good relationship,” the four-star told Volquest. “What he says, it’s true; he isn’t fake. He coached at a high program and did a lot of good things.
“He’s one of the first people who believed in me, so that’s big for Tennessee.”
The cornerback and Banks talked frequently when the latter was still recruiting prospects to the Big 10 – roughly three times a week. That relationship, along with the good start for Josh Heupel, has the Vols back in the running for the Ravenwood standout.
“Tennessee was on the backburner for a little bit,” Pollard said. “There was too much going on there for a little bit, but now they are back in consideration. I like the new coaching staff. I already know and trust coach Banks and believe in him.”
Tennessee’s prior coaching regime offered the Brentwood native about a month ago. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete is the state’s 14th-rated prospect. Pollard is tabbed as the No. 24 cornerback in the 2022 class.
When Heupel was named UT’s head coach on January 27, he immediately started reaching out to the state’s top-prospects. Even without a defensive signal-caller named at the time, Pollard was sill impressed and enjoyed beginning the relationship building process with the new skipper.
“We talk almost every day now and are on the phone about three times a week,” the prospect said. “He’s a cool guy and I like him a lot. When he hadn’t hired a defensive coordinator yet, he assured me that I’d like the hire.
“He told me to keep fighting for us because we will be fighting for you.”
Aside from the conversations, Pollard has done his homework on Heupel. He knows his football career and has heard how he relates to players well on and off the field.
“He knows football. He was a Heisman Trophy runner-up and tells me how he goes out and throws with his players,” Pollard said. “That’s what I’m talking about – he bonds with his players. That’s what I mean when I say he’s a cool guy and he relates well.”
The four-star currently owns 37 offers spanning across the Power 5 conferences. Pollard is trying to narrow them down and plans to release a top-list of some sorts in the very near future. Tennessee will likely make that cut.
“I’m a home-state guy and coach Heupel knows I’m one of the better prospects here,” the Ravenwood star concluded. “He really wants to put a stamp on in-state guys and that’s one of the reasons he’s pushing for me.”
Pollard is playing basketball for his high school this winter before gearing up for a final prep season next fall.
