Dunwoody High's Justin King Verbally Commits to University of Tennessee

Justin King, one of Dunwoody High's highest profile players last football season, has verbally committed to University of Tennessee.

King on Friday attended University of Georgia's Dog Night recruiting workout, then drove with his parents to Tennessee on Saturday.

"(Tennessee coaches) were just honest about everything," King said. "You could tell they knew their stuff, and it was coming from the heart, not just rehearsed. They said, 'I know its not going to be easy, but you can be competitive here.'

"I know playing in the SEC won't be easy."

His brother, Jerry King Jr., a Dunwoody alum, plays linebacker at nearby Tennessee Tech.

Justin, at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, and runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, joins five other Wildcats who committed earlier this year. Lineman Aaron Easterling formally signed with Garner-Webb in February, when running backs DeWayne Brown, Tracey White and Brandon Nick inked commitments in May with Lane College, Fort Valley State and Atlanta Sports Academy, respectively. Defensive back Breon Isaac signed on Virginia Union's dotted line.

King is expecting a big senior season at Dunwoody this fall.

"I've always been in position to make plays and do a lot of things out there," he said. "I just want to win. Whatever I can do to contribute is what I want to do. I want to be a great leader."

Dunwoody coach Jim Showfety suspected all the while the Volunteers would get King's nod.

"He had plans to visit (Virginia, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Arkansas)," Showfety said of King's 12 scholarship offers. "But when he went to Tennessee, I think everything felt right and he just decided there was no need to wait any longer."

King, best known as a quarterback at Dunwoody, rushed for 413 yards and three touchdowns as a junior last fall. He also passed for 218 yards and three scores. Of his 24 tackles at linebacker, 15 were unassisted.

Largely because of King, Dunwoody (6-4) recovered from season-opening losses to Mays, Miller Grove and Redan to win six of its last seven games. The Wildcats culminated the season with four straight victories, including shutouts against Marist (20-0), Chamblee (31-0) and Douglass (41-0).

Showfety said that while King's stats might not have been eye popping, his contribution was.

"It's his combination of athleticism and play-making skills that makes him appealing," Showfety said. "Justin's a very strong leader in our program and has a great deal of charisma."