Before 4-star Ethan Utley picked Tennessee football over Texas, Michigan he asked this question
Why did Ethan Utley pick Tennessee football?
He paused for a moment to consider the question minutes after announcing his decision in front of friends and family Thursday.
"Why not Tennessee?" said Utley, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive lineman at Ensworth. "That's really what the question was that it came down to between my mom and I. It was kind of a why not Tennessee kind of thing. They've got great football, great atmosphere.
"Coach Josh Heupel is one of the few head coaches in the country that took the time to build a relationship with me. Most coaches don't take the time to relate with kids."
Oh, and then there is Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner and his connection to Utley's mom Tracy Walls, a former Georgia women's basketball player. Walls knew Garner when he was the defensive line coach at Georgia and she was the academic counselor for the Bulldogs football team.
"She was making sure guys like Richard Seymour was doing their work," Utley said. "He always says I remind him of Seymour."
Utley is a multi-sport athlete at Ensworth. He plays basketball and throws shot put and discus in track and field. He's got quick footwork with speed for his size.
And he's a key in-state recruit to land for the class of 2025. Utley is the No. 4 recruit in the state, according to the 247Sports Composite. He joins No. 1-recruit George MacIntyre, a five-star quarterback at Brentwood Academy, and No. 18 Joakim Dodson, a three-star wide receiver at Collierville.
Utley is the No. 19 defensive lineman in the country and No. 161 overall recruit.
He's a 6-foot-4, 265-pound junior who recorded 35 tackles with seven for loss. He had six quarterback hurries and forced four fumbles at Ensworth, which finished 8-3.
Utley picked the Vols over Michigan, Oklahoma, Syracuse and Texas. He had Michigan and Texas hats along with a Tennessee hat when he announced his decision on a commitment video that played on a flat-screen TV behind him. He took off an all-black sweatshirt when the video announced he'd be playing at Tennessee to don a Vols button-down shirt
Walls said she approved of her son's decision because of her relationships with both Garner and Heupel.
"I know the core values and beliefs that Rodney shares," Walls said. "I know how he truly, truly drives his student athletes to become excellent men. It was a no-brainer. He's the best in the market. He holds his students responsible and accountable, and that's the type of leader I need around my son."
More: Why George MacIntyre (the Vanderbilt coach) would be smiling at grandson's Tennessee future
Walls' mom, Charlotte Phillips, beamed with joy at her grandson's commitment announcement, which was made at Germantown Pub in an entertainment area beside the main restaurant.
"Him committing to go to UT makes me retire from my job," said Phillips, who said retirement will allow her to make the three-hour trip to Knoxville to see her grandson. "That's how important it is to me."
How Tennessee football emerged over Michigan, Texas
There was a point Utley thought he'd be headed to Michigan. It's where Ensworth teammate Mason Curtis signed in December.
He was leaning toward Michigan throughout the 2023 college football season, which ended with the Wolverines winning the national championship.
But then coach Jim Harbaugh left Michigan to return to the NFL and coach the Los Angeles Chargers. When that happened, Utley turned his attention to Texas and Tennessee. But Texas defensive line coach Bo Davis left the Longhorns to coach at LSU.
"That's when I thought, 'Tennessee is probably going to pull away,'" Utley said. "After a few conversations (with Tennessee coaches), I was like, 'Tennessee is the place.'"
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on the X platform @Kreager.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ethan Utley picks Tennessee football over Texas, Michigan, Oklahoma
