Class of 2024 prospect Tyler Moore was at Tennessee, and the Vols separated themselves in his recruitment. He called Tennessee “the top dog” in his recruitment following his visit.

Moore was one of the first prospects to arrive over the weekend, and he got the chance to talk to defensive line coach Rodney Garner.

“I love Tennessee,” Moore told Off The Hook Sports. “The whole visit was fun. It was one of my top visits.”

Moore has also taken visits to Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Miami. He will be headed to Arkansas this weekend. 

So what separated Tennessee for Moore? The coaching staff. 

“The coach and coaches, he’s not cocky, he’s not like a head coach,” Moore said of Josh Heupel and his staff. “The whole coaching staff is open. They tell you the truth about everything. They’re just all around good men.”

Moore particularly liked the way Heupel was personable, and didn’t seem like he was above the prospects. 

“Most head coaches have suits on tyring to look so professional,” Moore said. “He’s just being himself on a regular basis. 

“It makes me feel good. If you’re yourself around everybody, then I know you’re yourself when it’s just me and you. I think he’s one of the best head coaches that I ever talked to or been around.”

Moore had a solid junior season. He finished the year with 15 sacks, 79 tackles and 49 for loss, six forced fumbles, and a touchdown. He plays mostly on the interior defensive line, but he can play anywhere on the line. He also flexed to linebacker when his high school, Luella (Ga.), needed it. 

Aside from getting to know the coaching staff, Moore really enjoyed getting to put on the Orange and White to take pictures. 

“It felt good,” Moore said of seeing himself in a Tennessee uniform. “I felt like I could be there, even when I went to Neyland Stadium and we walked in there. I feel like I can play there on Saturdays.”

Seeing himself in a Tennessee uniform solidfied Moore’s hard work. He had been doubted most of his life. At 6-foot-1, 270 pounds, Moore has been told his size won’t play at the power-five level. 

“I got a chip on my shoulder,” Moore said. “I got to handle business. There’s no time to play. When I step on campus, first day on campus, it’s business time. It’s time until I step off campus and get invited to the NFL Combine.”

Despite the doubts, he has quickly gained a lot of power-five attention.

“I’m just blessed,” he said. “I give all the glory to God, because without him I’m nothing at all.”

He doesn’t have his offseason plans solidified yet, but he plans on going back to Alabama and taking a trip to Georgia. He added that he is looking “everywhere” at schools in the offseason. 

Schools have to top his visit to Tennessee though. 

“I can’t wait to go back. Honestly, if I could go back this weekend, I would.”