In-state defensive tackle Tymon Mitchell tripped to Tennessee for the first time since picking up an offer from the Vols in December, as the 4-star prospect from Franklin Road Academy got a chance to spend time with the new staff on Rocky Top.

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive tackle has quickly become of one Jeremy Pruitt’s top in-state targets, as Tennessee is working hard to keep the Vol legacy at home. In the last two months, Mitchell has picked up offers from UT, Stanford, Georgia and Alabama, among others.

“It was a good day. It was my first time looking at the academic center and the academic side of it,” Mitchell told VolQuest.

“I love that Tennessee is close to home. It’s always been that tradition in my family. Four of five generations in my family coming up here. My great uncle was the first African American player up here. Lester McClain.”

While Mitchell has plenty of ties to the school, he said Tennessee’s message isn’t so much about staying at home but rather that the Vols simply need defensive lineman. Badly.

The Nashville native had the chance to sit-down with Pruitt on Saturday, with the new coach praising the versatile lineman’s motor and violent hands.

“I’m a need,” Mitchell said. "They need lineman up here. They have five senior d-lineman this year, so there’s a necessity for d-lineman up here and (Pruitt) sees me as one of them.”

The Vols are recruiting Mitchell as an interior lineman, viewing the 2019 prospect as a 3-or 5-technique prospect. Mitchell currently holds more than a dozen offers and this spring he’s juggling training for football and wrestling.

With so many new offers, Mitchell is taking his recruitment slowly right now. He plans to visit Debra campuses this spring, but said adamantly, “Tennessee is definitely on my list. I’ll definitely be back here soon.”