Gerald Jones has heard the reasons he shouldn't go to Tennessee. Don't expect that to stop him.

Jones, a wide receiver from Millwood High School in Oklahoma City, committed to UT on Nov. 28. He said most schools stopped recruiting him when he announced his decision, but Florida and Texas Tech have tried to convince him to change his mind.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Jones said coaches from each school have told him he might have to play defense for the Vols because they're recruiting too many wide receivers. He's listened to their pitches, but said he remains firmly committed to the Vols.

"I made my decision over Texas Tech and Florida," he said. "I'm really not concerned about what they have to say about Tennessee. I chose Tennessee and that's where I'm going to be."

Jones, who took an official visit to Texas Tech in October, said he's debating whether he wants to take an official visit to Florida on Jan. 19. He said a high school basketball game could leave him unavailable that weekend.

"I'm ready for this recruiting stuff to be over with," he said. "Hopefully I can just tell them pretty soon that I won't be able to go."

Jones said he isn't influenced by Florida's national championship, which it earned with a 41-14 win over Ohio State on Monday. He said winning a national title is a goal, but not his top priority.

"That's a big-time deal," he said, "but I'm so focused on making sure I have my degree because football isn't promised to me. At Tennessee, I feel that they'll help me do that."

Jones said he talked to UT assistant coach Steve Caldwell on Thursday about the wide receiver position. Jones said the only thing Caldwell promised him was an opportunity to compete.

"He told me I'm the type of athlete that I have the chance to come in and start," Jones said. "They're not going to promise me a starting spot."

Jones said Caldwell eased his concerns about what other schools told him.

"I really trust Coach Caldwell," he said. "All of that is behind me now."

Keeping Jones's commitment is especially important since receiver Robert Meachem decided to forgo his final season and enter the NFL draft. The Vols will lose their two other top receivers: seniors Jayson Swain and Bret Smith.

Jones said hearing about the departure of Meachem, a Tulsa native, was bittersweet.

"When I was thinking about it," Jones said, "I was like I don't have that big brother to keep my head straight. It's all going to be on my own. I was kind of heartbroken about that.

"I'm happy for him. That's what you live for, to make it to the big-time league."

Jones said Meachem's accomplishments give him motivation to do the same.

"It's just an unbelievable thing for him to go to another school outside of Oklahoma and still make it to the NFL," Jones said. "That's hope for me."