I would surmise that there are many {removed arbitrary percentage number} (I think this is even being kind) of VolNation can't name three of our recruits. This alone should give reason to be excited. I look through our class of current commits, and optimism violently shakes the disappointment-ravaged and calcified heart, that the past decade of Tennessee Volunteer football has tried to erode into something that looks and feels like this...
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Let's take a quick trip back to the
future.
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I'll start with a 5 star recruit, who is not only homegrown, but has already refused phone calls from a certain Alabama coach. This kid has a monster recruitment offer list and is going to be absolutely special. An anchor of this class and future star:
Jalen Hurd.
Also recruited by an impressive array of top tier schools:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Florida
- LSU
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Ohio State
- Notre Dame
- Stanford....okay, okay, you get the point. The kid has mad skills.
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Here is a 4 star recruit who is considered one of the top safeties in the country. This player was also recruited by Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Georgia, Southern Call, Florida, Clemson, Ohio State and 51 other schools to be exact. One of the best recruiters and another anchor to this class:
Todd Kelly Jr.
TKjr, is the son of former Volunteer, Todd Kelly.
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I must keep the in-state talent coming. Another Tennessee boy who is going to make his state and fans proud, another Vol legacy, and owner a 4.41 40-yard dash:
Vic Wharton. Vic is a 4 star athlete that has the special claim as first commit in this special class, and added much needed speed to our secondary.
Would you be interested in a 220 lbs, 6'3" OLB that runs a 4.51 40-yard dash? I figured you'd say that. Then that exactly what we have in the son of Tennessee great, Bill Bates.
Dillon Bates, a 4 star linebacker, out of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. He's one of the top ranked linebackers in the nation with offers from Florida, Florida State, Miami, Alabama (Kirby Smart personally recruited Dillon). Even Texas is going after him, but don't worry, this will not be Dalton Santos 2.0. He's all Vol.
"I wore this number in Orange too"
....tangential point: I want to respectfully say that he has an EXTREMELY pretty mother: former VOL cheerleader, Denise Bates. The recruits were
right. Tennessee does have the prettiest women in the nation.
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So, do you all remember the last #1 JUCO in the nation that Tennessee landed? This will jog your memory for those with short term memory loss:
Well, we did it again. We landed the #1 JUCO player in the nation. This athlete is much different that CP, but it's at a position Tennessee needs some dominance at. Enter
Davonte Lambert. He looks to bring a punch at the defensive tackle position.
I love hard-hitting defenses. With that said, one the most physical and top recruited safeties committed to Tennessee.
Cortez McDowell is a 205 lbs, 6'1" safety, hailing from Locust Grove, GA, who had a lengthy offer list. This kid is so sought after that Alabama (Kirby Smart again), Arkansas, and Auburn all sent two recruiters each. That's a big deal guys.
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How about some more speed in the secondary? Would a 4.4 suffice?
D'Andre Payne looks to join Cam Sutton and company next year at the cornerback position. D'Andre is a 4 star CB, a position that we need depth and speed at - he provides both.
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Did I mention our LB core will be sick? Well, if not, here are three more 4 star additions to Dillon Bates!
Chris Weatherd: 6'3" 220 lbs 4 star OLB from TX (heavily recruited by TAMU)
Kevin Mouhon: 6'2" 225 lbs, 4 star ILB from Norcross, GA. 2014 U.S. Army All-American
Gavin Bryant: 6'2", 235 lbs, 4 star ILB from Saban's back yard - Jackson, AL. Double Recruited by Alabama (via Kirby Smart and Lance Thompson, both of which are great recruiters).
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Tennessee has had a lack of pass rush for quite a while now. With some current talent (ala Corey Vereen) it was a must to add some defense speed on the edge. Butch accomplished that by getting this 6'3", 228 lbs WDE to commit to Tennessee.
Joe Henderson is a 4 star end out of Cleveland, Ohio. He runs a 4.76, 40 yard dash. He was offered schollies by Ohio State, Michigan, Mich State, Louisville, Arky, Georgia, and us of course.
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Due to length and lack of time, I'm not able to continue posting all of the excellent talent committed. Tennessee is absolutely killing it this year and we aren't even done. We are still on the radar of some very talented national recruits (Adoree Jackson, Dewayne Hendrix, Berry Twins, etc).
So follow the 80/20 Rule to regain perspective when you are feeling blue. Butch is doing something special here and we're going to soon take back our rightful place as a perennial powerhouse.
GO VOLS!:rock:
