Tennessee football has landed its first prospect in the class of 2025. Shamar Arnoux out of Milton (Ga.) High School announced his commitment to the Vols.
The decision comes after a visit to Knoxville, which solidified everything Arnoux thought about Tennessee. Arnoux has his mind made up before he ever arrived in Knoxville.
“It really wasn’t that hard of a decision,” Arnoux told Off The Hook Sports on what led to the decision. “The development the coaches do within my position and all over the field. The coaching staff, the campus and the community.”
Specifically, Arnoux talked about his relationship with Willie Martinez, Tennessee’s defensive backs coach.
“They just show genuine love,” Arnoux said. “It’s not all about football. They connect with you on a personal level to get to know you as a person.
“I talk to (Martinez) often. He calls to check up on me and see what I’m doing.”
Arnoux also called head coach Josh Heupel “the coolest coach in the game.”
During his visit to Tennessee last week, Arnoux got to sit in on the defensive back meetings. He enjoyed watching how they learn, and he even took some notes of his own to apply to his own game.
“The intensity, the effort the guys put in,” Arnoux said. “It’s great things that happen in that room. That’s where you evaluate players good and bad to make them become great.”
Arnoux models his play off of a defensive back in Tennesse’s room, Donieko Slaughter. Arnoux particularly likes Slaughter’s ability to play anywhere in the secondary.
“Just being versatile,” Arnoux said. “He can play inside, outside, wherever. Safety. I can play anywhere to get on the field.”
Arnoux also mentioned some of the best defensive backs to come through Tennessee, like Eric Berry. He remembers “all of Berry’s turnovers” and his ability to play the ball.
Just a 2025 prospect, Arnoux is firm in his decision. He has made it clear he does not care what others have to say, he wants to make a statement himself.
“I’m just ready to lock in,” Arnoux said. “I don’t care what anybody has to say, I’m here to make a statement while I’m here. I’m never being outworked.”
