5-star Daevin Hobbs details decision to wear orange after Rocky Top visits leave lasting impact
CONCORD, N.C. — Daevin Hobbs sat back and reflected on his official visits to Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia and knew one was different from the others. It was at that moment that he knew he would wear orange.
“I went to the Florida and Alabama games and I liked it a lot but it was really when I was on my Alabama visit,” Hobbs said of when he knew. “When I went on my Bama OV it just wasn’t the same. I didn’t have that feeling like when I was at Tennessee. Same thing when I was at Georgia. It was just a different feeling.”
And that feeling was one he was familiar with.
“It just feels like home,” Hobbs said. “I like it up there. Very familiar with Tennessee and the coaches and the movement they are going on. The fans! Every time I go up the fans show a lot of love.”
Hobbs and defensive line coach Rodney Garner really have built a nice bond over the last several months and he believes the veteran coach can get the most out of him.
“He is one of the best defensive line coaches there is,” Hobbs said. “He develops lots of players and I think has sent the most to the league. He has a great resume. I love talking to him on the phone or in person. He and coach Chop.”
Head coach Josh Heupel has also recruited Hobbs hard down the stretch to let him know how much they need him on Rocky Top.
“He is a very down to earth guy and I like that because he doesn’t change either,” Hobbs said. “I remember when I came in on my official on that Friday, he was talking to the players, the same way, with the same tone that he would talk to a recruit. I like that a lot.”
Hobbs has skyrocketed in his final prep season as he has focused more on the gridiron and less on basketball. He is #20 in the On3 rankings and a 5-star for the class of 2023.
“I feel like I’ve gotten better by just understanding the game more,” Hobbs said. “Just understanding the down and distance and what the team is going to do. This is my first year understanding the whole defense and my football IQ has gotten a lot better.”
Hobbs will enroll in January and getting right to work is something he is focused on.
“They said it would be good to get that extra lift cycle in and get ready for spring practice,” Hobbs said. “That will get me ahead of coming in during the summer.”
The buzz around Tennessee had been consistent for a couple of months, and they were trending on On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine which proved to be accurate after his friday announcement.
Volquest traveled to North Carolina to catch up with Hobbs before his announcement.
Reminds Us Of
Fletcher Cox DL 6-4 298
2012 DRAFT: RND 1 PICK 12
Like Fletcher Cox, Daevin Hobbs is a top athlete who projects as a high upside interior pass rusher. Both had similar frames and length at the same stage along with registering high-end speed in combine settings. They also both were dominant high school players at smaller programs. Hobbs is a two-way star as a defensive end and tight end. He also doubles as a basketball standout, while Cox ran track at his high school.
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