Four-star OT JB Shabazz gives Vols Shazam with commitment to Tennessee
East Forsyth offensive lineman JB Shabazz committed to Tennessee on Friday. The 4-star offensive tackle picked the Vols over Ohio State and South Carolina and he knew it was Tennessee the moment he hit Rocky Top,
“Honestly, I knew off that visit,” Shabazz said. “Even before that it was just how the coaches were always like heavily on me and talking to me and communicating with me. Then on the visit they kinda put the cherry on top honestly because it was my first time going down there and they did a pretty good job showing me how I would fit with Tennessee.”
He was able to sit down with his family and go through his decision-making process over the last few weeks. He finally let them in on his thoughts and they were pleased.
“They’ve been with me through it so they already knew like when I had my top five they knew my top three they do what I was leaning more towards, but I ended up telling them a week ago. They were totally fine with the choice I made. My mom loved it cause she was the one that was on the official visit with me.”
His father didn’t attend the Tennessee official but he was emotional Shabazz said when they called Tennessee to tell them the news. Even though he hadn’t been here, he knew Tennessee was a good fit,
“He did his own research but I told him pretty much everything I just told you like I just like me and my mom loved it there and the coaches were great and I could see myself fitting in there. I talked to players and they all love it. I can see myself fitting into school there and what not and I told him all that. Then of course, he did his own like work. He has his connections and he talked to some people asked them what they thought and I was like yeah they felt the same way.”
He loves Josh Heupel and his experience. He loves his demeanor and can’t wait to play for him.
“When he is chill he is chill,” Shabazz said, “But he’s like he’s a real high energy guy but he’s a very genuine coach. He loves doing what he does and I feel like he and I will mesh pretty well when I get there.”
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He was recruited by Glen Elarbee and those two hit it off over the last several months.
“He’s great,” Shabazz said. “He was the main guy, he and coach Phil (Serchia) were like the main two calling me all the time and communicating with me and when I got to see them person, it was great. It was like awesome. I loved it because I feel like me and him made a pretty great relationship through like the past about six months.”
He is thrilled with his decision. It’s a burden to go through the process for some and he is glad it’s over.
“People ask me if I would be like happy once I committed to school I committed to but it was just more relief,” Shabazz said. “I don’t really have to deal with all the stuff behind it as much as I did. It’s just a relief that I’m done now.
“When we called Coach Elarbee I had my mom and my dad on the phone but for me it was just a weight off my shoulders.”
So what is Tennessee getting in Shabazz?
“Lots of hard work, lots of hard work,” Shabazz said. “Just determination to be great honestly. I just want be the best person I can be on the football field and also off of it.”
