LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Now that the nation's top running back, Michael Dyer (Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Christian) has committed to Auburn, conventional wisdom states that his teammate, Under Armour All-America tight end Dakota Mosley, would follow him to the plains of East Alabama.
It could happen, but it's not a done deal yet.
Mosley is down to Tennessee and Auburn and had a great visit to Knoxville on Halloween weekend; he and Dyer both got a chance to see Lane Kiffin's program up close. He and his father, Harrison, both came away impressed with the Vols, who emerged as a late legitimate contender for Dyer and are a major factor for Mosley.
"[Tennessee] is really doing some things over there," Mosley said. "They have a 108,000-seat stadium."
Vols assistant coach Ed Orgeron, who has built a career on recruiting and coaching the defensive line, is handling Mosley's recruitment for the Vols.
"He's one of the best recruiters that I have ever been around," Mosley said. "He's pumped up all the time. You can tell he's a great motivator. [Tennessee] has a great recruiting class. They are putting together a great one and pulling in great prospects. I guess that shows how their recruiters are doing, pulling in great prospects like that."
But the Tigers are going to be tough to beat. Just like Dyer, Mosley and his family have known Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn for years. The relationship between Malzahn and the Mosley family should have as big an impact as his relationship with the Dyer family.
"Auburn has a great coaching staff," Mosley said. "There is a great football atmosphere. I have had a good relationship with the coaches there for a while."
Another huge factor, obviously, will be his relationship with Dyer. The two have been best friends for years.
"[Dyer's commitment to Auburn] does help them," Mosley said. "We have been best friends since I came to school [at Little Rock Christian]. We would like to play college football together. They've just done a great job. They give me calls all the time. They have been real great and hospitable during the process."
Florida State and Louisiana Tech are other schools that Mosley mentioned.
"I want to be with a coaching staff that I am going to enjoy working with in my life for the next four years," Mosley said. "That's going to be the next four years of my life and where I live for the next four years. I also want to look at an offense that fits me where I can showcase my talents."
Mosley was impressive Friday night, when Little Rock Christian defeated Pulaski Academy, 42-21, to clinch a playoff berth. On offense, he helped set the tone early with a 46-yard reception that set up the game's first touchdown. On defense, he was extremely active in putting pressure on the opposing quarterback, tipping a couple of passes and causing havoc for the Pulaski offense.
"I have to give all the credit to my teammates," Mosley said. "If it were not for them, this would not have happened. I just give it all to them. It was a huge win. It gives our team great momentum. We will go to the playoffs and see what we can do. It just felt real good."
Mosley, the nation's No. 13 prospect at his position, according to Scouts Inc., is a well-rounded tight end. He catches it as well as he blocks, though he says blocking is his strength.
"That's the thing I really think I do well," he said.
Like Dyer, Mosley will play in the 2010 Under Armour All-America game, in which he will get to see how he stacks up against some of the other top tight end prospects in America, including USC commit Xavier Grimble (Las Vegas/Bishop Gorman) and LSU commit Travis Dickson (Ocean Springs, Miss.).
"It's something I have always dreamed about, playing in an All-American game," Mosley said. "It's just a great honor."
JC Shurburtt covers recruiting for ESPN.com. He can be reached at jcsespn@aol.com.