Dynamic Sunshine State ATH Kamauri Whitfield details Rocky Top commitment

2027 The First Academy (Fla.) defensive back Kamauri Whitfield visited Tennessee for the first time over the summer, and the Vols have steadily been trending upwards in his recruitment. This past weekend, he was on Rocky Top, and he did not need to see anything else as he has now decided to announce his commitment to Josh Heupel’s program. He goes in-depth with Volquest on why he chose Tennessee over programs like Florida, Florida State, and Oklahoma.

“Man, it is a huge SEC program,” Whitfield said of what made Tennessee right for him . “There is a lot of opportunity there. You can see that most of their DBs are going to the league after being under the coaching staff. I have seen a couple go, and a lot more are going, and it is just a great school.”

Whitfield had felt strongly about Tennessee for some time, and this visit pushed the Vols to the top.

“I really want to say that I knew in the summer, but it wasn’t like I was one hundred percent with it,” Whitfield said of this. “When I went down there in the summer, they jumped up a lot on my board, but after this visit, I knew for sure.”

Getting to experience a sold-out Neyland Stadium played a key role in Whitfield deciding to choose Tennessee early in his process.

“It was great, and we made it to the stadium and got a chance to spend time with all of the staff, and it was just great to be around all of them. It wasn’t a big game, but it felt like one. It was just wild to see. It was shocking at how many people were there and how they support the football team. The environment was great. It was sold out.”

His relationship with multiple members of the staff, including Earnest Thomass III, Willie Martinez and Tim Banks, was also crucial.

“I love everything about ET. He is just a great person, a great coach and great to be around.”

“That is my guy right there,” Whitfield of Martinez. “He has a great personality. He is one of those coaches who will be cool with you, but when you do something wrong on the field, he will get onto you about it, but he will still love you the same. Coach Banks, man, he is like Coach Nez. He is a great guy. He will get onto you when you are doing wrong, but he will love you up when you are doing it right.  love everything about ET. He is just a great person, a great coach and great to be around.”

Tennessee has been clear in their message about what they like about the dynamic athlete and why they see him on the defensive side of the football as well.

“They have told me they love my ability to impact the game, the way I can move and the way I can play multiple positions,” he said. “They love my instincts, they love my passion and love for the game, and just the way that I know the game.”

The atmosphere was not the only selling point over the weekend. How Tennessee uses its defensive backs and the opportunity early was also critical for Whitfield.

“I like how they move their defensive backs around, and they use guys to play both the boundary and the field. They play freshmen and actually give freshmen a shot to get on the field early in their program. It is big knowing that I could come in and have a fair shot as playing as a freshman if I come in and put in the work and show the coaches they can trust me.”