Coveted 2022 DB JQ Hardaway recaps 'electric and exciting' Tennessee before dead period
Tennessee was the first offer for 2022 Peach State prospect JQ Hardaway of Hardaway HS in Columbus (GA) in June of 2019 following a camp performance. The offer has remained on Hardaway's mind, and he recently made the trip back to Knoxville for another look at the Vols. He breaks down the trip here.
Hardaway said on the atmosphere of the visit, "I would say it was electric and exciting."
He spent a large portion of his time with Tennessee's defensive coordinator, Derrick Ansley. He said, "I have the best relationship with Coach Ansley. I talk to him regularly on the cell phone."
Hardaway said, "We talk about a lot of stuff. He is from down south, also, so we talk about that, his coaching history, coaching at the NFL level, and academics."
Hardaway said his biggest takeaway from the weekend, "would have to be staying focused and remaining humble. That is what he tried to preach to me, just remain humble."
Hardaway holds four Division 1 offers, but one school is coming hard after him. He said, "I am getting very heavy interest from Kentucky. I just left there this past weekend. Really Kentucky, Pittsburgh, and probably the University of Georgia are showing the most interest."
The Vols have an advantage in this race because of the appeal to play defensive back for Jeremy Pruitt and Derrick Ansley. Hardaway said, "that means a lot to me. I definitely take that into consideration when looking at schools. Coach Pruitt and Ansley have coached some very talented DB's. Coach Ansley coached at Alabama and the Oakland Raiders and coached some very good DB's."
There are still plenty of offers to come in for Hardaway as his recruitment unfolds, and because of that, he has not set a timeframe for making a top schools list or a college decision. He just plans to work through the process one step at a time.
Hardaway measures in at 6'2, 180lbs, and projects as a cornerback at the next level. You can view his HUDL Film here.
Interview conducted by VR2's Dale Dowden