Pursuing Glenn Beal
Many thought Tennessee was finished with tight ends following the early signing period when the Vols received a signature from long-time commit Jacob Warren and surprise signee Dominick Wood-Anderson.
New Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt doesnt seem to be done yet with the position. The Vols have been pursuing New Orleans product Glenn Beal.
Beal brings something different to the position group than the two prospects already signed. Beal is much more of a blocking threat than a receiving one. His 6-foot-5, 265-pound frame aids in his blocking ability. Beal only caught 14 passes for John Curtis High School last season, according to MaxPreps.
Beal has been an LSU lean for a while, now but recently named Tennessee his leader. He looks to be trending toward Knoxville, Tenn., every day.
Warren is more of a pass-catching tight end. His 6-6, 211-pound frame is not ready to block in the SEC. He will need to add size and strength at the college level.
Wood-Anderson is the nations top junior college tight end, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Alabama pushed for him hard, so this was a great pickup for Pruitt. He is a blocking tight end who also can be a passing threat off the line. Imagine Wood-Anderson filling the role O.J. Howard did in Alabamas offense.
The previous coaching staff seemed content taking Warren as the only tight end in the Class of 2018. There has been a clear shift in thinking with the new staff.
How current tight ends fit the new system
One reason for potentially adding three tight ends is the lack of players on the roster who fit a pro-style system. The new coaching staff will install a different system from the spread attack Tennessee fans watched under coach Butch Jones.
Tennessee will lean more heavily on power running and tight ends on the line.
Eli Wolf, Austin Pope and LaTrell Bumphus all received playing time at the tight end position last season. All of them fit the old mold of a pass-catching tight end who might not fit into the new system.
It makes sense that the new coaching staff is pushing to add more tight end depth with the new scheme in mind. To run the offense Pruitt and offensive coordinator Tyson Helton want, they will need more blocking tight ends.
Tennessee has 18 commitments, and there is a hard cap of 25. There are depth issues elsewhere on the roster where this spot could be used, but this is clearly a position that coaches feel they need to address quickly.
