SAN ANTONIO -- When Robert Meachem and Gerald Jones first met to talk about Tennessee football, Meachem was the recruiter.

Meachem was the obvious choice. Both are from Oklahoma. Both play wide receiver.

Meachem, UT's record-setting receiver in 2006, did his job, helping convince Jones, one of the highest-rated receivers in the country, to commit to UT.

"When we first met, he was real cool," said Jones, during a break from practice Wednesday for Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl. "As far as us talking, he's a real cool laid back guy. It's going to be cool (playing with Meachem)."

That will only happen if Meachem decides to return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft. Enter Jones, who said he's praying for Meachem to return.

"He could teach me some things," the 6-foot, 185-pounder from Millwood High School in Oklahoma City said. "I think it would be better for him, but if he goes to the league, that would be great too.

"I haven't really convinced him to do anything. I just let him roll with the punches and make the choice that's best for him."

Jones said his relationship and similarities with Meachem was one of the draws to Knoxville.

"We're pretty similar," Jones said. "A lot of Oklahoma kids stay in Oklahoma and go to OU (Oklahoma University).

Meachem and Jones took the same path to Knoxville, but traveled at a different pace. Meachem's late decision to sign with UT instead of the Sooners was a shock to recruiting analysts. Jones decided to avoid the late season sales pitches when he committed to UT in late November.

"Me and Meachem think outside the box," Jones said. "You might go to OU with some of your buddies and that might not be the best thing for you because you could get in any kind of trouble down there. We wanted to get away, be alone and see how we handle it on the road."

The bond that began during a Nov. 3 recruiting trip to UT has only grown stronger. The two even handle interviews alike as they both share the same laidback attitude off the field.

"That's why we made that little bond when I first got down there," Jones said.

Aside from Meachem, Jones said UT coach Phillip Fulmer's job security is one of the reasons he selected the Vols. Stability and team unity were a must if he was to commit. Playing time also helped.

"The players are real cool," Jones said. "The chances of me starting -- they have two, maybe three, receivers leaving next year. I couldn't ask for a better situation."

Jones didn't take the same path as most of the highly touted prospects in He took only two official visits, then announced his decision shortly thereafter.

"At the time, I wanted to get out off state, meet new people, see new things," Jones said. "At the time, I had only visited Texas Tech and Tennessee so I had to choose, which was easy. Tennessee, of course. They had all the qualities."

Practice for Saturday's game (TV: WBIR, 1 p.m.) has been just what Jones should have expected. Fast, big and talented.

"When you're at Oklahoma, you're at the top," Jones said. "When you're here. Everybody's pretty much the same. It's fun and it's a humbling experience."

His advice to future high school All-Americans: "Don't let your egos get in the way."