Marshall County High School kicker Aaron Medley moved one step closer to fulfilling his lifelong dream of playing football for the University of Tennessee when he recently committed to the Volunteers and became a part of UT's 2014 recruiting class.

Rated as a three-star prospect by both Rivals and Scout, Medley is currently ranked the top place kicker in the country by Kohl's Kicking Camps for the Class of 2014 and is considered the number five punter in the land.

Rivals has Medley rated as the fourth best kicker in his class, while Chris Sailer's Kicking Camp has him ranked as the number eight punter and the ninth best placekicker in the country.

Highly-rated class

Medley joins a talented Tennessee class that is currently ranked in the top six in four different major recruiting services and which many UT fans hope returns the Volunteer football program back to prominence under new head coach Butch Jones.

"Their recruiting class is really, really good. I looked at where the program is going and I think it's back on its way up," said Medley. "I also really like coach Jones and think he has the program headed in the right direction."

Medley received scholarship offers from Oklahoma and Texas A&M as well, while Notre Dame, Ohio State, Arkansas, and Boise State also showed serious interest in him.

While Oklahoma and Texas A&M had offered him a scholarship earlier in the recruiting process, Medley jumped at the chance to be a part of Tennessee's program when the Volunteers offered him on May 21 and committed to UT the next day.

First choice

"Whenever the recruiting process started, I really wanted to get an offer from Tennessee. If they didn't offer by June 6th, I was probably going to commit somewhere else," said Medley. "When they offered, I pulled the trigger because it's always been my dream school.."

Medley becomes the fourth instate player to commit to Tennessee in this recruiting class, joining Independence's Vic Wharton, Knoxville Webb's Todd Kelly Jr., and Beech's record setting tailback Jalen Hurd.

"There is always pressure to play for UT because some fans may hate you if you don't. It worked out in the end though because I think UT is my best option," said Medley.

Although there is still eight more months until national signing day, Medley plans to hold firm in his commitment and seems glad to wrap up the recruiting process.

Pressure's off

"I think there is a lot of pressure relieved now. My summer has really opened up. I had all of these camps scheduled, but now I don't have to go and can just get ready for the season," said Medley.

Having handled all of the kicking duties for Marshall County the last three years, Medley has helped the Tigers consistently win the battle in special teams. During his MCHS career, Medley has blasted 74-of-144 kickoffs in the end zone for touchbacks, converted 78-of-86 extra points, and made 17-of-26 field goals, highlighted by a school record 50-yarder against Spring Hill last season.. Medley also averaged an impressive 45 yards per punt on 44 kicks his junior year with a long of 61 yards.

Along with being a three-time All-District selection, Medley was named to the Tennessean's 2012 All-Midstate Team before being chosen to the Second Team Defense of MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American Football Team as a punter.

Medley should once again give MCHS a leg up in the kicking game this Fall before heading up to Knoxville next year.