Five-star OT reflects on first Tennessee visit, hopes to see Vols again
KNOXVILLE, TN – Five-star offensive tackle, Mason Short, recently made his first visit to the University of Tennessee, and by all accounts, it was a resounding success. Short, who is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, was blown away by the Vols’ facilities, coaching staff, and overall atmosphere.
“I was really impressed with everything I saw at Tennessee,” Short said in a recent interview. “The facilities are top-notch, and the coaching staff is amazing. I loved the energy and excitement of the program, and I can see why they’re one of the top teams in the country.”
Short, who stands at 6’6″ and weighs 290 pounds, is a dominant force on the field, with a strong combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He has already received offers from several top programs, including Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State.
Despite the stiff competition for his services, the Vols’ coaching staff made a strong impression on Short during his visit. He was particularly impressed by the team’s head coach, Josh Heupel, who he described as “a great leader and a fantastic coach.”
“Coach Heupel is a really down-to-earth guy who genuinely cares about his players,” Short said. “He’s got a great vision for the program, and I love the way he coaches. He’s all about developing his players and helping them reach their full potential.”
Short also had high praise for the Vols’ offensive line coach, Glen Elarbee, who he described as “one of the best coaches I’ve ever met.”
“Coach Elarbee is a fantastic coach who really knows his stuff,” Short said. “He’s got a great way of teaching and communicating, and I loved the way he interacted with the players. He’s definitely someone I’d love to play for.”
Despite the strong impression made by the Vols’ coaching staff, Short is still in the early stages of his recruitment, and he’s not ready to make a decision just yet. However, he did say that he hopes to return to Knoxville again soon, and he’s excited to see where things go with the Vols.
“I’d love to get back to Tennessee again soon,” Short said. “I had a great time on my visit, and I’m excited to see where things go with the Vols. They’re definitely one of the top schools on my list, and I’m looking forward to learning more about the program.”
The Vols’ recruitment of Short is a major priority, and they’ll need to continue to make a strong push for his services if they want to land the talented prospect. However, with the strong impression made by the coaching staff and the program’s overall atmosphere, Tennessee is definitely in the running for Short’s signature.
_Upcoming Visits:_
– Short is expected to visit several top programs in the coming weeks, including Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State.
– The Vols are hoping to get Short back on campus again soon, possibly for a spring practice or the team’s annual Orange and White game.
_Recruitment Timeline:_
– Short is expected to make his decision sometime in the summer or early fall, although he has not set a specific timeline for his recruitment.
– The Vols will need to continue to make a strong push for Short’s services if they want to land the talented prospect.
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