KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee football team continued its strong defensive line recruiting success Tuesday morning by snagging its third 2010 commitment from that position.

Defensive end JC Copeland from Troup High School in LaGrange, Ga., committed to the Volunteers, according to multiple officials at the high school.

UT now has three 2010 public pledges along the defensive line, as well as Miami offensive lineman Jose Jose.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, Copeland is rated a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 18 weakside defensive end by Rivals.com. Other schools making scholarship offers to him included Auburn, Ole Miss and Maryland, and he had said in recent weeks that Auburn was his leader.

UT’s first two public 2010 commitments were defensive end Jacques Smith of Ooltewah and defensive tackle Risean Broussard of Lake Charles, La.

Read Wednesday’s Times Free Press for more information.