Recruiting isn’t just a game of stars, rankings and statistics. The ability to lure a great high school player has a lot to do with relationships.

Coaches visit small town high schools to watch games. If a player is highly sought after, they might even get an in-home visit.

Certain values may push players toward another school, but Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt showed there is no love lost on Saturday after the Volunteers lost to No. 2 Georgia.

Instead of just going back to the locker room, packing up, and going home, Pruitt remained out on the field to say hello and congratulate players he once recruited as Georgia’s defensive coordinator.

It may even pay off down the line if other recruits see that Pruitt has character and eventually choose Tennessee because of it.

Well done, coach.