Butch Jones, adding a brick.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — It’s becoming more and more common to see long snappers earn scholarships.
But adding one almost a year before National Signing Day is more unusual.
Even so, the Vols opted to accept a verbal commitment on Saturday from Riley Lovingood, a junior from Beech High in Hendersonville. (That’s Jalen Hurd‘s alma mater). Lovingood is considered one of the nation’s top snappers and his ties to Tennessee make him unlikely to waiver.
I am committed to the university of Tennessee on full scholarship, Isaiah 25:1 #blessed #risetothetop
— Riley Lovingood (@rileylovingood) March 8, 2014
Coaching staffs are increasingly finding that it takes a scholarship to lure the nation’s top snappers.
Wesley Horky, who was all set to walk-on at Tennessee, was snatched up by Oklahoma just a week ago.
Matt Giampapa is the leading candidate to win the snapping job in 2014. Butch Jones has said that J.R. Carr‘s graduation leaves a large gap at the position — not just in snapping, but also overall special teams play. Carr had five tackles on special teams in 2013.
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