Double Boom? Vols trending for four-star DE Darrell Taylor

Fresh off the news of Shy Tuttle‘s commitment to the Vols this afternoon, there’s a lot of buzz around Tennessee and four-star defensive end Darrell Taylor.

“4 star ATH Darrell Taylor now a heavy lean towards #Vols according to my Magic 8 Ball. Was #Hokies all week,” Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Farrell tweeted this afernoon.

Taylor is expected to make an announcement during halftime of his game tonight.

“Looking like #Vols are going to go 2-for-2 tonight. Darrell Taylor announces at halftime of his game tonight, wrote Adam Friedman from Rivals.

At 6-4, 220 Taylor is considered one of the top 10 prospects in the state of Virginia.

ESPN evaluation: Tall, long and high-cut with the room to really fill out and add bulk and power through his hips and lower body. Narrow base is a concern if converted to a DE position in college and his high-cut frame also draws concern if deployed as an OLB as it hinders his change of direction and overall fluidity. May be a best fit to gain considerable weight and be employed as a Jack in a multiple scheme — i.e. Donta Hightower role.

It is easy to see why there is interest in Taylor as an athlete. He’s long and he can run and he has yet to physically develop. There is upside here. We have pointed out concerns, but the pro’s outweigh the con’s. will likely see a mix of attention from middle-tier to upper-tier program interest from the big five conferences.

***UPDATE: Darrell Taylor did, in fact, commit to Tennessee during halftime of his team’s game on Friday night.

Forum discussion: ’15 VA DE Darrell Taylor