Alvin Kamara is still helping Tennessee’s football program even though he’s no longer playing for the Vols.
Tennessee received a commitment from graduate transfer cornerback Shaq Wiggins on Wednesday. Wiggins played for Georgia in 2013 before spending the last three years at Louisville.
Like Wiggins, Kamara transferred to Tennessee in 2015 after having spent time at Alabama and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College.
Kamara, who played high school football at Norcross (Ga.) High School, told Wiggins, a Tyrone, Ga., native, about his experience transferring to Tennessee.
“I kind of went down a similar road (as Kamara),” Wiggins told WNML. “I just asked him about the program and Coach Jones and how the coaches were. You kind of get a feel for yourself just being in college for so long.”
The status of Tennessee’s program has changed since before Wiggins entered college in 2013.
As a high school prospect, Wiggins was recruited by former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley and his staff. At the time, the Vols were enduring a third straight losing season, which ultimately led to Dooley being fired.
Wiggins said Tennessee’s program has greatly improved since he went through the recruiting process in high school.
“It’s definitely high profile,” Wiggins said. “Tennessee beat a couple of teams they were usually used to losing to when a different coaching staff was there.
“The vibe and the feel from the players in how they react to Coach Jones is very different. That is one thing that stood out to me from visiting Knoxville.”
Wiggins said he will begin summer classes at Tennessee in June with hopes of competing for a starting position at cornerback when fall practice begins.
Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop will likely welcome the addition of Wiggins. Athlon Sports writer Braden Gall pointed to cornerback this week as a position of need for the Vols.
“Tennessee, compared to the rest of the SEC, has a lot of question marks at that position,” Gall said.
Tennessee found an answer this week with the commitment from Wiggins, who could make the biggest impact among the Vols’ newcomers this fall.
Wiggins said he will wear No. 6 for Tennessee – the same number Kamara wore the last two seasons.
“Hopefully we’ll have the same turnout,” Wiggins said.
Click below to listen to the full interview with Wiggins on Sports Radio WNML.
