If the Tennessee Vols are going to return to relevancy in the SEC, it'll be partially because the program routinely lands elite in-state talent.

Over the last several years, the Vols have missed on numerous key in-state recruits that have gone elsewhere and made an impact.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins (Clemson), wide receiver Amari Rodgers (Clemson), safety JaCoby Stevens (LSU), and defensive tackle Jay Hardy (Auburn, now at Liberty) are just a few of the in-state players that eschewed the Volunteers in favor of an out-of-state program.

New Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, however, is hoping to change that trend.

While it'll take a while to know whether or not he'll be successful, we at least know that recruits are starting to view playing for UT as something special. And it's because of Heupel, the fan base, and the current players.

2023 four-star offensive tackle Joe Crocker, a 6-foot-6/315 lb recruit from Nashville, recently spoke to VolQuest about his recruitment. And he had some encouraging things to say about the way he views Tennessee as an in-state recruit.

“I think just being the in-state school stands out for Tennessee,” said Crocker.

“Obviously, it’s about culture and fit, but being the state school doesn’t hurt," added the talented offensive lineman. "Everyone I know is a UT fan. Jackson [Lampley] was telling me that if a Tennessee kid goes and plays somewhere else, they will remember you. But if you’re an in-state kid, people will know you and care for you.”

(Lampley is a former four-star recruit from Nashville who signed with the Vols during the 2019 recruiting cycle.)

It's great that in-state recruits are getting this message from current players. Tennessee needs that message to come from players and not just the coaching staff.

Heupel and his staff are the ones who will try to sell recruits on playing for the Vols. But the current players are the ones that will confirm/deny if the coaches are trying to sell a false bill of goods.

For now, Tennessee's message is unified through the program.

That should aid the Vols in their quest to dominate in-state recruiting. It might not pay off in a big way during the 2022 recruiting cycle, but there's no doubt that Heupel is building a solid recruiting foundation in Knoxville.

Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports/Rivals.com