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Deejay HunterMIDDLETOWN — Deejay Hunter enjoyed his visit to the University of Tennessee so much, he didn't want to leave.
Hunter will be back on the Knoxville, Tenn., campus soon enough.
The Middletown High School senior cornerback/safety/kick returner gave a verbal commitment Wednesday, July 9, to play college football for the Volunteers, who are members of the vaunted Southeastern Conference.
"I really didn't want to come home it was so nice there," Deejay said of his unofficial visit to UT. "The players and coaches were cool down there. I just liked everything about it. It felt like somewhere I could stay."
Hunter's father, Dwayne, told the Journal on Monday that Deejay also was considering Ohio State, Indiana, West Virginia and Louisville, and had a trip planned this weekend to Wisconsin.
Hunter, 6-foot, 192 pounds, is the 14th-ranked defensive back in the country, according to Rivals.com. Scout.com ranks Hunter 36th in the nation. Both recruiting Web sites list Hunter's 40-yard dash time at 4.45 seconds, though Hunter said Wednesday that he's dropped that into the 4.3 range.
First-year Middletown coach Jason Krause said he congratulated Hunter via text message as Hunter and his father drove back home from Knoxville on Wednesday afternoon.
"It's a great opportunity," Krause said. "Any time a young man can go to the next level, play the game and get an education, it's awesome.
"We're glad it's behind us. We talked about committing early. That was one of things he wanted to get done so he could focus on Middletown football this season."
Hunter recorded three sacks, forced one fumble and recovered a fumble last season for the Middies. He averaged 28.4 yards per kickoff return and took one back for an 87-yard touchdown. Hunter was a second-team, All-Greater Miami Conference and Division I All-Southwest District selection.
Hunter said Wednesday that he'll also see playing time this season at wide receiver.
Hunter, the cousin of former Middie and Miami University standout Darrell Hunter, can't sign a letter of intent with the Volunteers until the football signing period begins Feb. 6.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2506 or jboyle@coxohio.com.
Comments
By Eli Porter
July 23, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
Yo i heard this kid only had a 1.5 gpa lol
By null
July 10, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
What was the gpa needed to participate in middletown high school sports I do think it was 1.5 I hope this young man gets a good college education out of this deal.
By darrell hunter
July 10, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
d.j this is your uncle darrell,i want you to know that i’m proud of you i wish you all the luck in world, if it get’s rough down there don’t give up and always be strong and show them what a middletown middie is good luck!!
By FLAVOLS
July 10, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Welcome to the BIG ORANGE NATION! Stay focused!!
By Rev. Michael A. Bailey
July 10, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Deejay! Congratulations on your selection to become A VOL. My nephew S. Truss (Graduate of MHS) played football at Tennessee and recieved a great education. My best wishes to you for a bright and happy future.
Stay strong PBailey
By Volways
July 10, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Welcome to God’s country Deejay. I never want to leave when I go to Knoxville either. Come on down and visit us on the river after any home game. We’ll be in the orange and white houseboat named “It’s All About Me”. The Vol Navy rocks! You have made the right choice. You won’t find a classier coaching staff and us fans will worship you!
By Orange in Mississippi
July 10, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
Deejay, Welcome to Big Orange Country! You are playing in the best conference in the country, with and against some of the best talent in the country - man up. Help bring home the NC.
By SEC1
July 9, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
nice choice young man…if more ohioans had the onions to step up to the closest league in play and talent to the NFL, maybe ohio football would get more respect. Welcome to the SEC Deejay, where we embrace all twelve of our schools and love it when the bcs hands us the ohio state butteyes in a bowl game.
By Jim Hensley
July 9, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
Great to have you as a Tennessee Vol! If you loved it without seeing the sea of orange on Saturday, you will be blown away then. It is absolutely like no other place.
You will also love the SEC. The games are not simply games. They are more like life and death. Welcome aboard.
By SAVol
July 9, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
DJ, Glad to have you aboard! We have two fantastic safeties in DeMo and Eric, and we hope that you are a shut-down corner who can tackle on sweeps. You come from a state where THE university gets a huge following, and you are going to play in a state with supporters all across the world, too. It’s great to be a Tennessee Volunteer! Go Vols! SAVol
By SAVol
July 9, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
DJ, Glad to have you aboard! We have two fantastic safeties in DeMo and Eric, and we hope that you are a shut-down corner who can tackle on sweeps. You come from a state where THE university gets a huge following, and you are going to play in a state with supporters all across the world, too. It’s great to be a Tennessee Volunteer! Go Vols! SAVol
By DAVE DUNCAN
July 9, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
THANKS,DEEJAY I AM ALL VOL AND LIVE IN TRENTON, YOU WILL LOVE IT . JUST ASK ADEM MYERS WHITE
By Lee Ann Holly
July 9, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
I wish he’d picked Miami of Ohio.