A young Dylan Vickerson sat at home watching his dad on TV, Kevin Vickerson, sack Peyton Manning. He knew at a young age how great of a player the Tennessee football legend was.
Now, Vickerson is a sophomore in high school who just received an offer from Manning’s Alma Mater. The Vols extended him a scholarship offer on Tuesday.
“It’s been a dream offer since I was little,” Vickerson told Off The Hook Sports. “I’m blessed and honored.”
Vickerson is a Fairburn, Ga., native, attending Creekside High School. Who else attended Creekside? Eric Berry.
The prospect grew up watching the beloved Tennessee football star, giving the Vols a special place in his mind.
“I went to a few games as a kid,” he said. “I also grew up watching Eric Berry, who was a big-time player. I later found out he went to my high school. Tennessee will always be a favorite.”
Although his dad was a defensive lineman, Vickerson ended up as a wide receiver. He “loves the art of running routes.”
Vickerson used a picture of Jalin Hyatt in his offer post. Josh Heupel’s receiver-friendly offense caught his eye last season.
“I loved the way they competed on the field, going 11-2 this year,” he said. “I love their receiver room, especially Jalin Hyatt. He was a stud, him and Hendon Hooker had a phenomenal connection, his routes were dynamic, always found a way to get open, seemed like the ball couldn’t miss his hands at times. They’re good on both sides of the ball.”
Vickerson doesn’t worry about the tempo of Tennessee’s offense, but he “loves” it. His high school runs a similar system.
“It’s the type of offense I’m meant to excel in,” he said. “I can honestly see myself flourishing in their offense.”
Vickerson is “looking forward” to getting to Tennessee football for a visit over the offseason.
His father, who now coaches at Michigan State, has been exposing Vickerson to what life in college may be like. Playing football since the age of three, he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
“He prepares me for the future,” Vickerson said of his father. “He tells me what to look out for in schools and what life in the NFL will be like and what it takes to get to that level.”
As his recruitment picks up, hearing from schools like Michigan State and Missouri, Vickerson will be looking for certain things on his visits.
“Qualities I look for in a school are a school with a coaching staff that’s firm in developing my talent as well as optimizing my skills on the field and off,” he said. “Overall when I’m choosing a school, I want to choose a school that benefits me not only with football but life.”
