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Recent success leads TJ White to Rocky Top

On3 imageby: Austin Price07/01/25AustinPriceless
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Jackson, Mississippi linebacker TJ White had been to Tennessee several times before his official visit in June. The most recent visit just validated what he had been finding each time he came to town,


“It was the environment, great coaching style, good energy,” White said about what led him to Rocky Top. “Another thing is how much they’ve been able to do for these past few years. Especially last year making that playoff run. Linebacker’s having a good impact on the game too with the help of coach Inge coaching. Arion Carter he’s on a little run because of coach Inge. All that played a factor into it.“

He has spent many an evening on the phone with Tennessee linebackers coach William Inge. He loves his passion for life.


“He is a jolly man,” White said. “He’s always smiling and really it’s always a smile on his face even when he teaches the game he makes it fun for the players. It’s just continuous good energy. Every time you see him, it’s good energy.”

When he was in town he was able to talk to several current players to get a feel for playing for Inge. He even got good feedback from an unexpected source.


“Oh yeah for so they all had good messages about about him,” White said. “Personally I really like there is a player Jalen Smith, who is at Mississippi State. I asked him some questions and even he was like yeah coach Inge is great coach and has a great love for the game. Just a great coach in general so they gave me even more respect for him.”

White started high school playing nickel at less than 200 pounds. He is now in the neighborhood of 235 pounds and he brings a lot to the table.


Honestly, I feel like I’m bringing personal versatility, energy and just all out love for the game,” White said. “I got built on versatility. Last year was my first time really being run off the edge and it really just worked out. I played nickel my first year and I think I covered pretty good when I’m in a box. And like definitely tackling because my long arms tacklng is a real big strength. To be able to cover on top of that that makes me an all down guy.”

He looks forward to playing for Josh Heupel.


“A great great guy who brings the energy and he’s really about business,” White said. “And honestly he’s been through it already as a player. He was a great football player for Oklahoma. He already been through what I’m about to go through and that helps.”

White and his teammate Dereon Albert both committed on Tuesday as they get to continue their playing careers together,


“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” White said. “We always been thinking about going to the same school but it’s just the recruiting process and we’ve just been accepting we might not be able to go to the same school. It worked out, and we have big chemistry. I’m going to work myself up to play as a freshman, but if we both get a chance to play it’s going to be even better because we already got chemistry.”

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