The University of Tennessee has long been a front runner for Jarvis Giles.

Today, Giles made them the clear-cut favorite. The Gaither High running back verbally committed to Tennessee on Friday after spending nearly a week on campus. With almost 20 Division I offers to choose from, Giles had recently narrowed the field to five, which included Clemson, Georgia, Nebraska and South Carolina.

“I’ve just never seen anything like this being from Florida,” Giles said. “I just feel real comfortable here. Everyone has been so nice to me.”

One of Hillsborough County’s leading rushers the last two seasons, Giles had always ranked Tennessee high because of the fact that he has family that lives close by, but also because of the sincere interest from the coaching staff.

Giles arrived in Knoxville on Sunday and has spent time touring the campus. He was impressed by the rather expansive weight room and also by the academic facilities.

“They showed me where Peyton Manning used to study,” Giles said. “That was really cool.”