The Vols are watching 2028

Tennessee has been tracking a group of class of 2028 prospects, and one of them plays high school ball inside the state at Battle Ground Academy.

Meet Maximus Curry

Curry is a four-star wide receiver who sits at No. 135 nationally in the Rivals Industry rankings. He plays for BGA in Franklin, Tennessee.

He talked after Friday's game

Curry spoke with Vols On SI right after BGA faced Milton on Friday night, laying out where each school stands with him.

Tennessee texts every day

Curry says the Vols are a major factor already, with daily messages and regular calls from the head coach and his position coach.

“They are definitely playing a big role in my recruitment... they text me every day.”

Heupel and Pope stay close

Josh Heupel and receivers coach Kelsey Pope both talk to Curry often, not just occasionally. He rates the effort as strong right now.

“I talk to Coach Heupel pretty often and Coach Pope as well. They are doing a pretty good job right now.”

He wants a coach who's real

What Curry values most in Pope is honesty. He says he can only learn from someone willing to tell him the truth.

“You need to be real with me so I can learn from you at the same time.”

Pope's development record

Curry points to Mike Matthews and Chris Brazzell as proof. Watching them convinced him Pope can build playmakers.

“I have been able to learn from players like Mike Matthews and Chris Brazzell. They are real playmakers.”

Any body type works

Curry likes that Pope's results are not limited to one player profile. Short or tall, the receivers get developed the same way.

“Whether it's a shorter guy or a taller guy, he just develops all types of players.”

Alabama game is locked in

Curry confirmed he will be in Knoxville for Tennessee vs. Alabama this season, with Tennessee vs. Texas a possible second trip.

“I know for sure that I am going to go to the Tennessee vs. Alabama game as of right now.”

He's grading the atmosphere

On his visit, Curry wants to see how the crowd and the team react in a real SEC matchup, not a soft September game.

“I'm really looking at the atmosphere when they play big teams, SEC teams, and how they respond.”

A busy visit schedule

Tennessee is one stop among many. Curry has Alabama, Auburn, Vanderbilt and Miami trips lined up as well.

“I'm set to visit Alabama. I'm visiting Auburn tomorrow (Saturday), and Vanderbilt. I will also visit Miami.”

No timeline yet

Curry has not set a commitment date or a cutdown list. He wants to finish the visits before he narrows anything.

“I'm still trying to figure that out after I go on all of the visits.”

Tennessee makes the cut

Asked directly whether the Vols survive his eventual trim, Curry did not hesitate. He says the way things are trending tells him enough.

“Yeah, they are definitely going to be in the final cut when it's all said and done.”

Keep doing what you're doing

Curry's message to Tennessee is simple: the effort is landing, especially given the staff is juggling an active season.

“They are doing everything that they can right now, even though they have all of their own stuff going on.”