By Jimmy Hyams

When Cade Mays was an eighth grader attending a Tennessee football camp, he never envisioned becoming an unpaid, ace recruiter for the Vols.

“College football was not even on my radar,’’ said Mays, a five-star offensive lineman for Catholic High School and the son of former UT star lineman Kevin Mays.

“When I got an offer a few days later, it was kind of crazy how my life took off from that moment.’’

After Mays committed to Tennessee two years ago, he vowed to lure some of the top talent in the state – and the nation – to Big Orange Country. In the past few days, three prospects have committed to Tennessee, raising the rankings for UT to No. 6 nationally.

“It’s awesome, since I laid the groundwork two or three years ago when I committed, to see this thing take off,’’ Mays said during an interview with SportsTalk on WNML radio.

“I remember tweeting as soon as I committed, `This class is going to be the No. 1 class,’ and for all those Vol fans out there, let me just tell you, it’s about to be the No. 1 class.’’

Mays said he’s been able to “pull some guys aboard’’ and that the Class of 2018 “is going to surprise a lot of people.’’

Mays said he’s enjoyed recruiting.

“It’s been great,’’ Mays said. “Not many people can say they’ve been recruited and be able to recruit. It’s definitely a great experience. I’ve had to mature a lot really quick. It’s just been great for me and I’m very thankful.’’

College coaches are in the midst of a “dead period’’ in recruiting, but for Mays, there is no such thing.

“Definitely not,’’ Mays said. “It’s every day. I love this. I’m going to be on campus in January. That’s when I start working for a national championship. And I’ve got all these guys coming with me.’’

Mays said UT is getting a “gunslinger’’ and a “really good kid’’ in quarterback commit Adrian Martinez of California.

Mays is proud of the fact UT has commits from seven in-state players. But he wants more, like defensive lineman Greg Emerson, defensive end Jordan Davis, athlete Cam Jones and offensive lineman Jerome Carvin.

“Those are four guys we’ve got to get,’’ Mays said.

Mays is 6-foot-6 and weighs 320 but he wants to get down to 305 or 310. As a high school senior, he wants to polish his technique, get faster, stronger and quicker and “just punish’’ people.

Mays said he’s heard Tennessee will be more run-oriented this season, which is music to Mays’ ears.

“I’ve heard we’re just going to line up and mash people,’’ Mays said. “That’s what I like to hear. … That’s the kind of football I like. I think a lot of people have gotten away from that kind of football.

“That’s the way football should be played. That’s how it’s always been played and I’m glad we’re getting back to our roots.’’

Mays said he’s excited to line up next to his younger brother, Cooper, and another SEC prospect, Brian Tucker, on this season’s Fighting Irish offensive line.

Mays plays defense, but he prefers offense.

“I love defense,’’ Mays said, “and everybody says they love defense more, but I’m an offensive lineman. It’s been in my blood since I was little.

“There’s just something about lining up and mashing people and taking their will to win away.’’

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