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

Defensive end J.C. Copeland from Troup High School in LaGrange, Ga., committed Tuesday morning to the Volunteers. UT has secured four public 2010 pledges, including 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. His other offers included Auburn, Ole Miss and Maryland, and he had said in recent weeks that nearby Auburn was his leader.

Copeland, who could add weight and ultimately slide inside to defensive tackle, called his style of play “intense” and “relentless.” Those two words could describe UT’s fight to retain his commitment for the next several months. Several other prominent programs, such as Florida State and Oklahoma, started recruiting him harder this spring.

Troup’s staff wasn’t sure whether Florida or Georgia will get involved. The Vols provided a more certain situation, according to Copeland, who hasn’t visited UT’s campus but plans to make at least one trip to Knoxville this summer.

“But I still know a lot about them from watching them play in front of all those people in Neyland Stadium,” Copeland added. “Who wouldn’t want to play in that environment?”

Copeland, like most of UT’s defensive line signees and commitments since the new staff arrived last winter, said an opportunity to play for defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron was “just too good to pass up.

“Everybody wants to play in the NFL one day, and those coaches know what it takes to get there,” Copeland said. “That’s a big plus.”

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

Tight end Eric MacLain from Fayetteville, N.C., and defensive tackle Anthony Johnson from New Orleans from the class of 2011 also have committed to the Vols.