Anytime a former five-star quarterback prospect hits the transfer portal, you know college coaches around the nation are blowing up his phone.

The difference here for Tennessee could be a previous connection already established during Daniels’ time at USC.

If you missed the news on Thursday, former five-star QB recruit JT Daniels has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Daniels has spent two seasons at USC after signing as a top 20 overall prospect and being rated as the No. 2 pro-style passer in the 2018 recruiting cycle.

Daniels was injured for much of last season after suffering a season-ending injury in USC’s season opener. The former five-star prospect not only graduated a year early from high school to enroll at USC, but he managed to win the starting quarterback role with the team his first year on campus. He started 11 games as a true freshman.

During his abbreviated time on the field for the Trojans, the redshirt sophomore has completed just over 60 percent of his passes for 2,887 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

According to Charles Powers of 247Sports, Tennessee is “one of a few to watch” when it comes to Daniels recruitment. The Vols have a unique connection with Daniels as Tennessee receivers coach Tee Martin helped recruit the five-star QB to USC.

Here’s what Powers shared on Twitter following news of Daniels’ decision to enter the transfer portal: “Tennessee is among the teams to watch w/ transfer QB JT Daniels. The former 5star has a relationship w/ Vols’ Tee Martin from his time at USC. Should have a ton of interest, but one of a few to watch per sources.”

During his prep career at Mater Dei High School in southern California, Daniels threw for 12,014 yards, 152 TDs and 14 interceptions in three seasons and was named 2017 Gatorade National Player of the Year, Max Preps National Player of the Year and National High School Coaches Association Player of the Year, among many other honors.

Tennessee has also had some success recently attracting five-star transfers to Rocky Top, as the Vols added former Georgia lineman Cade Mays to the roster this offseason.