Tennessee prospect Waden Charles certainly left Knoxville impressed. Despite being a Miami commitment, the four-star athlete seems smitten with the Vols.
“Just a great experience to be able to go out there (and) see what Knoxville is about, see what the area is like, see what the team is and see how they move around, see how they do stuff over there,” the star from Palm Beach Central in West Palm Beach, Fla. said after returning to Florida. “It was a great experience.”
Tennessee has a strong tie with Charles. His mentor, Chris Green, is close friends with former Vol receiver Jauan Jennings.
“I’ve worked around NFL players for over a decade now and Waden is one of those special kids that is determined to be great at the next level,” Green said.
Said Charles,”Tennessee definitely had great facilities. We watched the whole presentation of the new things they’re about to build. They have, like $40 to $50 million of renovations about to be done.
“They’re going to make a whole player lounge. They’re going to make a Vol for Life lounge for the returning players. All the facilities there are just great. Even the indoor practice facility. It was a great experience to watch the practice in there.”
Tennessee is the first school Charles visited, other than Miami, where he committed to in September. Charles said he doesn’t have many definite dates lined up but is planning on visiting other schools, such as Louisville, Florida and Central Florida, where he’ll be on April 6.
Charles said he still considers himself a Miami commitment, but feels the need to look around and make sure that South Florida is the right place for him in college.
“I’m looking just for a great program,” said Charles, who said player development and a fast-paced offense like Tennessee’s is alluring, along with a strong education and support after college.
When asked to describe himself, Charles chose Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb. Charles said he has the size (6-foot-2 and 185 pounds) and quickness to play slot or wide receiver like Lamb.
Charles is rated the No. 290 overall prospect in the nation, the No. 11 athlete prospect in the country and the No. 42 prospect in Florida.
