Coffee County athlete Alontae Taylor was ready to make a decision, or so he thought.

The 2018 instate playmaker who has been committed to Vanderbilt for six months but Tennessee had been recruiting him just as hard as the Commodores and he had been rethinking his pledge to the ‘Dores.

But, after anticipating an announcement in mid-May, Taylor has decided to back off of making a final decision as more schools come into the picture.

“It’s been pretty crazy. Me and my parents are excited about it but we decided to just focus on high school and work on what I can work on here at the high school,” Taylor explained. “It’s something I dreamed about as a kid but now that it’s here it’s crazy.”

Notre Dame, Virginia and several other schools have stopped by to check on Taylor since the spring evaluation period began last month. But, even as other schools join the mix Taylor said his focus remains on the two instate schools.

“I know a lot of schools are starting to come in offer and so I have to look at them but I really want to stay instate and play at home and have my family come and watch me,” Taylor said. “I’m not going to put out a list or anything but I’m pretty sure everybody knows that it’s between Vanderbilt and Tennessee right now.”

Taylor, who plays quarterback and defensive back, will likely take more visits though as he wants to see what other programs have to offer.

While he could be a man on the road this summer checking out other schools, he was a traveling man this spring as he camped at several camps in Atlanta and learned how he stacked up against some of the South’s best.

“It’s amazing. We are now playing the Murfreesboro teams that have Jacoby Stevens and guys like that, but before that we were playing other small schools,” Taylor explained. “But, being down in Atlanta I got see where my athletic ability really is and knowing that I can stick with those guys and know that I’m a great athlete and them telling me is great. It just lets me know that my talent level is up where there’s is I just have to keep growing.”

Taylor was also in Knoxville to see Tennessee’s annual Orange & White Game and it was an important trip for him.

“It was good to see the coaches. I came to watch the game of course but this was special because it was like the flip or not flip type of deal,” Taylor said. I watched the sidelines to see how the coaches acted and how the players acted and things like that. It was more of a business trip for this spring game.

“I learned that Marquill Osborne got on the field with the first team and they let those guys play. They aren’t afraid to let the freshmen play.”

Taylor added that the Vols are a team that will always be on the list because of his family’s fondness of Rocky Top.

“My family loves them and they are in the SEC. But, my family has always loved the ‘Big Orange’ and you always want to go where your heart wants to go. But, you have to find a place that’s a good fit for you. My family loves Vanderbilt but they really do love Tennessee. And you have to make a decision for yourself, but also for your family, too.

“I know a lot of schools are starting to come in offer and so I have to look at them but I really want to stay instate and play at home and have my family come and watch me.