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Tennessee likely will not end up with a top 10 recruiting class for the 2016 cycle, but that does not mean that this class won’t have an impact on the program.
Currently, the Vols have 16 verbal commits and signed three junior college prospects– defensive tackle Alexis Johnson of Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College, along with Dodge City (Kan.) Community College teammates- wide receiver Jeff George and cornerback Desmond Henderson. That trio should be able to help right away.
The Vols have a lot of geographic balance in this class as well. There are four in-state prospects, three from Georgia, two from Florida and then one each from D.C., Kansas, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina.
There will likely be more headlining prospects that end up in the class, too, which is another big indicator of a solid effort this cycle.
Current rank: No. 9 SEC, No. 24 Nationally (247Sports Composite rankings)
Top commit: Jarrett Guarantano, QB, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic. The 6-foot-4 Guarantano has the size, arm talent and athleticism to be a successful quarterback for the Vols in time. Given that Tennessee has recruited as well as any program at this position in recent cycles, landing a high-upside, developmental type of signal caller in this class was perfect in terms of program fit. Guarantano was an Under Armour All-American and one of the highest-ranked quarterbacks in the 2016 class.
Sleeper: Devante Brooks, TE, Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College. Just from the standpoint of raw, elite athleticism, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Brooks is one of the top talents in the DMV this recruiting cycle. He will need to be coached and developed, but there’s a very high ceiling here.
Quick take: This class will end up smaller in terms of numbers than the previous two classes that Tennessee and head coach Butch Jones have signed, but there is another good group of players heading to Knoxville. Because of the upgrades to the roster that have taken place in recent years, it’s anticipated that many of the players in this class won’t be pressed into early action at Tennessee, which is a positive in terms of long-term stability and foundation-building.
Recruiting writer for Saturday Down South
