Tennessee Making Peach State RB Jordan McDonald 'A Priority',

Alpharetta, Ga.-- Peach State running back Jordan McDonald holds offers from over 25 Division 1 schools. The Milton (Ga.) prospect is a downhill runner who excels at the second level of defenses. Since taking over in Knoxville, Josh Heupel's staff has zeroed in on McDonald, making him a priority. Following the conclusion of the Atlanta Under Armour Camp, he discussed with VR2 on SI his thoughts on the Vols.

"They are telling me I am a priority for them," McDonald said of the message from Tennessee. "They really want to see me and build a strong relationship with me, and whenever I can get on campus (once visits open), they want to get me there and show me a lot of love and show they are here for not only my recruitment but my full academic status, and everything."

"It means a lot to me. I spoke to a lot of them when they were at UCF, and then they transferred over to Tennessee, and that love still stayed there. It showed there is a strong relationship between the staff and me. It shows there is a real bond there, and it's not just something fake."

McDonald is hearing from a combination of Tennessee coaches, including Alex Golesh, Jerry Mack and off-field staffer Matt Merrit.

"I like how enthusiastic they are to speak," he said. "It's not like a phone call where it is a business conference. They are trying to be relatable with you and make you feel like someone you can actually trust and talk to. They are straight up and tell you the truth about things, which is what I like the most about them."

Tennessee's staff has been very clear about why they want McDonald to don the Orange and White for the next few years.

"They've said they like how much of a downhill runner I am, but when I run downhill, I can switch and change speeds at any time and how I am able to cut at a moment's notice," he said on the message from them. "They've said they love my catching game and how I am an all-around running back and would be a perfect fit for Tennessee. They have said they love the way I play and the physicality I will bring to the game."

Really nice rep from #Vols RB target @Jordan1Mcdonald here. Big, smooth back with nice hands out of the backfield.

🎥: @Dale_VR2_SI pic.twitter.com/wjAbfzkDbY
— Matt Ray (@matt_ray_) March 22, 2021

That message has resonated well with McDonald, who is intrigued by what he could do with his skillset in the offense the Vols will employ.

"It is very good to know. It is really amazing to know because you can develop and show your full skillset on tape and show it to the fans and the entire country, and there would be no doubts about, can he catch or anything. You would be able to see all of it on tape with pass routes, downhill running, outside zone, and everything like that."

McDonald will get on the road once things open back up in June, which should allow him to take a trip to Knoxville as well as some of the other schools that have remained in contact.

"I think I am going to take visits, and shortly after those visits, I will come out with a top list," he said. "Just being able to get to know all of the coaching staff. Once I get to a campus, I'll be able to know if it feels like home or a place I should cross off of my list."

"Right now, I would say all of the schools I talk to, especially Tennessee, the love is really there and strong. I can feel the love from the fanbase too. I would say just getting a feel for those things are the next steps in my recruitment."

McDonald ran for 1,388 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2020 en route to Georgia Class 7A All-state honors.