University School of Jackson's Clayton Gant spent four years playing high school baseball with Josh Liles. Now Gant has decided to join his former teammate in Knoxville.

As first reported on The Jackson Sun's Web site, Gant has verbally committed to sign with the University of Tennessee. The earliest he can sign a binding letter of intent is Nov. 14.

At UT, Gant will join Liles, a freshman outfielder for first-year coach Todd Raleigh. Gant's father, Tony Gant, graduated from UT.

"I played four years with Josh," Clayton Gant said, "and I figured why not play another four? After committing, I'm a lot more relaxed. I feel a whole lot better."

The Vols add a right-hand pitcher who has dominated during his prep career. Gant was an all-state pick and first-team All-West Tennessee selection as a junior. He had a 14-1 pitching record and 1.87 ERA. He also hit .413 with six home runs and 53 RBIs to help USJ finish runner-up in the Class AA state tournament for the second straight year.

Gant also earned all-state and all-area honors as a sophomore after going 10-2 with a 1.67 ERA. As a freshman, Gant was 11-0 and USJ beat Friendship Christian School, 9-2, in the Class A state final. He also played for the Bruins as an eighth grader.

Tennessee, Mississippi State, LSU, MTSU, Memphis and Louisville all showed interest in Gant. MTSU, LSU, Memphis and UT offered scholarships, he said. Choosing the Vols and Southeastern Conference was easy.

"The SEC is always good; it's the top conference in the country," Gant said. "They've got a new coaching staff that is coming in looking to prove a point."

Gant's mother, Gloria, was happy her son is staying in the Volunteer State.

"Personally, I would like to keep him home, but I know I can't do that," she said. "I'm just glad he didn't go out of state."

Gant spent the past two years playing summer travel baseball with the Memphis Tigers, a Connie Mack team. Gant went 12-0 this summer for the Tigers' 18-and-under team, which went 57-12 and advanced to the Southeast regional final.

Tigers coach Keith Hagan expects big things from Gant.

"I'm not at all surprised he's going to UT," Hagan said. "I thought he was an SEC-caliber player last year. I'm so happy for him. I think he made a great choice."

UT is coming off a 34-25 season that saw the Vols miss the NCAA tournament for the second straight year. That prompted the firing of coach Rod Delmonico, who went 699-396 in 18 years at UT.

By JOSHUA PARROTT
jparrott@jacksonsun.com