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Vols impress JuCo DE on visit

Tennessee hosted a number of junior college prospects on campus over the weekend including one from a familiar community college in Kansas.
Carnell Simon, a Duluth, Ga., native, made a visit to Tennessee on Saturday as he's home in Georgia for summer break and while he's been in communication with the Tennessee staff for some time being on campus made a big impression on the 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive lineman.
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"I knew I was on their recruiting list so I just wanted to see it and check it out for myself. I've researched it online and I just decided I wanted to come see it," Simon said. "It was great. I liked the weight room, the indoor practice field is nice. Some of the things they are building are very, very nice."
Even though Simon has yet to receive any verbal offers, he feels the Vols and North Carolina State may be the closest to pulling the trigger.
"An offer is not officially on the table. They might make an offer to me soon," Simon said.
One of the highlights of Saturday for Simon was spending time with defensive line coach Steve Stripling.
"It was great. Me and coach Strip's chemistry is great. I agree with a lot of what he's doing. I like some of the things he showed me defensively and some of the things I've already been doing," Simon offered. "So, I feel like it's a perfect match as far as getting integrated into the program as a JuCo guy."
After getting a close look at the Tennessee program, Simon felt the Vols will have success sooner rather than later under head coach Butch Jones.
"I got to talk to coach Jones for a little bit and I can definitely see where they're going and with bringing people in. They have a strong recruiting class for the class of 2014 and beyond," Simon noted. "I've talked to the strength and conditioning coach and I like how he's developing the players and their speed. I can tell the program is heading in the right direction."
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