An ESPN analyst who spent his college football career with the Clemson Tigers explained this week why he decommitted from the Tennessee Vols over 15 years ago.

ESPN’s Eric Mac Lain detailed the whole ordeal this week on the Mac and Murray CFB Show.

Mac Lain, who played at Clemson from 2011 to 2015, explained that he committed to Tennessee while Phillip Fulmer was still the program’s head coach. Once Fulmer was pushed out and Lane Kiffin was hired to run the program, Mac Lain decided it was best to find a home elsewhere.

Fortunately for Mac Lain, Fulmer’s longtime defensive line coach Dan Brooks landed at Clemson following the coaching change at Tennessee.

“So I was committed to Tennessee back in the day,” said Mac Lane. “I was going there — I grew up in Knoxville….Running through the Power T, Rocky Top at the top of your lungs. That was my dream. And then they fired Philip Fulmer and brought in Lane Kiffin. And I was like, no thanks — I don’t want any part of this.

“And that’s how I stumbled into Clemson. Dan Brooks was actually the guy. He was the defensive line coach — really well renowned, one of the best ever D-line coaches at Tennessee. And so he was my guy. I knew him forever. And then he gets hired by Dabo (Swinney). That’s kind of how I found out where Clemson even was. But I was Rocky Top all the way. That place is crazy. My first college game ever was Tim Tebow versus Eric Berry in [Neyland Stadium]. And it was crazy. It was unbelievable. So I can only imagine, if you’re the opposing quarterback, what’s that’s like.”

That was probably the right call by Mac Lain — even though playing for the Vols was his dream. The Kiffin year and the subsequent Derek Dooley era were some dark times for Tennessee.

Former Georgia QB Aaron Murray gives Neyland Stadium some major respect

Mac Lain’s co-host, former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray, showed some major respect for Neyland Stadium ahead of the matchup this weekend between UGA and Tennessee in Knoxville.

“When Tennessee is good, which they are right now and they were later on, especially my last season at Georgia, it is the most intimidating venue,” said Murray. “And I haven’t played in the Big 10 — I haven’t been to Ohio State. I haven’t been to Michigan. Those places look crazy. Penn State white out [is] crazy.

“But Neyland, when they’re good, and they’re rocking, you can’t hear. I remember we were backed up. We had to go two minute drive to tie it to go the overtime. I’m just trying to get a play out. I’m screaming and no one can hear a single word coming out of my mouth. We just had to use complete hand signals. So it’s awesome. It looks like the Colosseum on steroids.”

Tennessee and Georgia kick off at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday.

And I’m sure Neyland will be as loud as ever.

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