Palmetto State playmaker talks first look at Vols, convo with David Johnson

Among Tennessee’s visitors at Tuesday spring practice was 3-star wideout Jacoby Pinckney.

The Roebuck, S.C. native has been busy during his spring break, taking trips to Oklahoma and Wake Forest, with visits to Virginia Tech (Thursday) and Georgia (Saturday) upcoming.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound receiver kept close tabs on Tennessee’s receivers coach David Johnson during his first visit on Rocky Top.

“First visit, it went good,” Pinckney said.

“I think coach Johnson is a good coach. He’s ready to get some of his guys in there and ball.”

As many observers have noticed during practice availabilities, Tennessee’s new receivers coach is a stickler for details and constantly brings energy on every rep or drill.

Pinckney said Johnson’s “intensity” stood out, especially, “The way he talks to his guys, coaches ‘em hard.”

The 2019 wideout holds offers from more than a dozen schools, including Va. Tech, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and UGA. The Vols extended Pinckney a scholarship in late January, pushing for a spring visit from the rangy playmaker.

Pinckney spent time with Johnson before practice Tuesday, also sitting in on a pre-practice meeting. He said the Vols like his “catch radius, hands and route-running.”

“Coach (Johnson) said they want to establish the run and with that comes 1-on-1 coverage, so (the receivers) just got to make plays. I can do that,” said Pinckney, who had 65 catches for 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns in 2017.

“I try to take stuff from Alshon Jeffery and Julio Jones.”

Pinckney is “just having fun” with all his recent visits, but Tennessee did catch his eye enough for a potential return trip soon.

“They want me to come back, checkout some more stuff and spend more time with coach (Johnson),” he said.

“I think it’s definitely a strong possibility.”