Lineage and coaching were major reasons why Tennessee landed a prospect that is projected to have an immediate impact when he arrives on campus in 2024.
Defensive tackle Jamal Wallace, who signed with the Vols on Wednesday, said former Vol defensive back Inky Johnson made a strong impression when the well-known public speaker showed up at Wallace’s school to pass along his motivation message.
“People say (former NFL star) Ray Lewis speeches get you ready to run through a wall, but I think Inky Johnson’s get you ready and pumped up,” said Wallace, a Tennessee signee from Sierra College in Kansas City, Mo., during an interview on The Dave Hooker Show with Caleb Calhoun.
Johnson has been a motivational speaker since losing the use of his right arm after a devastating collision suffered during a game as he was attempting to make a tackle against Air Force in 2006.
Wallace, who called Tennessee his “dream” school, is from Kansas City so he saw the triumphs and challenges that former Vol Eric Berry enjoyed and overcame during his NFL career, including a battle with cancer, a torn ACL and a torn Achilles tendon. Berry, despite being limited by his injuries in the NFL, was considered an elite NFL player when healthy. He quickly became a fan favorite for the Kansas City Chiefs given his dedication to overcoming his many health issues and the work he’s done within the Kansas City community. Hence, Wallace thinks very highly of the Vols, who seem to feel the same.
Wallace is 6-foot-2 and over 300 pounds after beginning his football career as a skill-position player at just 190 pounds. Wallace then packed on 112 pounds during Covid and began to play with his hand on the ground as a defensive lineman. That’s perfect for the Vols as they fortify their defensive front, led by defensive line coach Rodney Garner.
“I’ll be playing more inside than edge rusher,” Wallace said.
The former cornerback, receiver and safety could now be a fantastic addition to an already loaded defensive line.
“I really want to come in there and and wreck a game and change the game, because I believe that I am a game changer and it may not show on my stats this year, but a lot of the coaches can tell you they game plan around me, so I don’t wreck a game.
“I feel like since I have a couple of better guys on the edge rushing and interior (at Tennessee) , I’ll be able to have a lot more one-on-ones to to be able to to dominate my opponent.
None of that would have likely happened had it not been for that chance meeting with Johnson years ago.
“We came from the same background,” Wallace said of Johnson, who is from Crim High School in Atlanta. “We had some of the same similarities when coming up. He had a rough childhood. I had a rough childhood. So we could just, like, compare to each other, you know? So it was really good for him to have that situation and for me to look up to him.”
As for Berry, Wallace said, “”He’s a strong dude coming back from cancer. You know, a lot of people counted him out. I counted him out. I didn’t think somebody can come back from cancer and still be able to play – and be a dominant player at that. So that’s pretty amazing and inspiring just to know that you can get through anything and still play what you what you feel like you can play.”
Then, it came down to Garner.
“That was a big part of my decision because so many people were telling me so much about him,” Wallace said. “I’ve only played the line for two years, and one of the best D-line coaches feels like I can be a dominant player in the SEC or into the next level. I would love to play for that guy.
Thanks to fate. Wallace will get that chance.
