Four-star WR Travis Smith Jr. made the call for Tennessee on Saturday.
Smith, the No. 27-rated wide receiver in the Rivals250 WR for the 2025 recruiting cycle out of Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake High School, picked the Vols over Alabama, Georgia and Auburn after a gauntlet of visits over the past month and change.
SEC contenders like Georgia and Alabama each had momentum in Smith’s recruitment for different parts of the off-season leading into his July 13 reveal. Tennessee had been trending up with the 6-foot-4, 200-plus-pound pass-catcher after making his final visit to Rocky Top on June 21-23 weekend.
“They want to utilize me anywhere on the field creating space and they let me know consistently they want me and they need me. I felt like a priority down there,” Smith told Rivals.
“Everything they have been talking about on the phone since back in-season, they’ve consistently shown it,” Smith continued. “They really showed out for the official visit, it was crazy.”
The in-state Dawgs and the Crimson Tide finished just behind the Volunteers for Smith, who was high on Tennessee’s coaching staff and the blueprint in place on the offensive side of the ball. That includes the depth at quarterback and recent success of developing wide receivers.
“My best official visit, personally, was Tennessee,” he explained. “Bringing us out to the river, tubing, having those comfortable visits. It was great.”
“It comes down to visualizing myself making plays. I know I can make plays anywhere I go; it’s where I can see myself going up top and beyond at.”
The Volunteers have maintained a steady place in Smith’s recruitment. Josh Heupel and receivers coach Kelsey Pope have played massive roles in this one.
“They have been so, so, so consistent with communication, keeping me aligned within the program and what’s happening there, keeping me in the loop on everything,” Smith said.
“They have been really high on the list, emphasizing how important I’d be for their program and it’s been impressive. I’ve been up there a few times and was able to build a good relationship with the staff. Coach Heuepel and Coach Pope have touched based with my family, and that’s been a big part of my recruitment. How much I’d fit in with that offense would be a big plus.”
