Izuchukwu impress with Vols and their offer

Tennessee was one of the first programs to offer Nashville, Tenn., lineman Ani Izuchukwu and that means a lot to him.

The Vols, second to offer the 6-4, 226 pound lineman out of Davidson Academy, have only spoken to the class of 2019 prospect a handful of times but their offer speaks more than the actual conversations.

“One thing I appreciate is when a college appreciates you when you're not yet there,” he said Sunday at the NPA camp at Alcoa High School. “That shows you really have interest. That you believe in me that I'm going to be better. It's not like I worked hard all my life to be at the top then you picked me … they see my potential.”

Izuchukwu is originally from Nigeria, along with rising senior and fellow Davidson Academy product Obinna Eze, and has just started picking up the game in the last year.

His physical skills are evident but he continues to develop his technique.

“I've been going to camps, working out all offseason to try and get better,” he said. “It's been good, working out a lot, making sure I'm doing good with my grades and do well in every camp that I go to. I've been making sure I learn a lot more about football. There's a lot of things you got to learn, especially since I have been trying to learn the game since coming here. I've been pushing every day to try and be the best.”

The biggest factor for the young prospect at this stage is finding a school that provides a family atmosphere.

“A school that will take care of me the way they'll take care of themselves. And it's not just health,” he said. “If I go to college I want to go to college with family — people who understand each other, take care of each other.”