The 2014 Tennessee recruiting class included six players that had family members who previously played sports at Tennessee.
Dillion Bates, Todd Kelly, Jr., Neiko Creamer, Evan and Elliott Berry all had fathers that played football at UT, while Vic Wharton’s uncle, Brandon, was a Vol hooper. It was thusly dubbed the “Legacy Class.”
But in 2015, there are a few more prospects with family ties to the University.
Most of the info that follows can be found in the VolNation Recruiting Forum. If you enjoy recruiting, I strongly encourage you to check it out. DO IT.
Anderson is a 3* linebacker prospect with offers from Tennessee, Alabama, Duke and LSU among others. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he closes on the ball well and looks to have good athleticism for a linebacker. He’d be a nice complement to guy we’ll talk about later, Cecil Cherry.
Keaton is also the brother of former Vol Carson Anderson (2008-2012), son of former Vol Terry Anderson (1976-1978) and nephew of former Vol letterman Charlie Anderson (1974-1976). Anderson’s name should ring a bell, as it adorns Tennessee’s new $45 million training center.
McKenzie is a 4* DL prospect with offers from Tennessee, Florida, Miami and Oklahoma among others. At 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, McKenzie already has the size and frame to play defensive tackle in college. He just overpowers the poor offensive linemen on film.
He’s the son of current Raiders GM, Knoxville native and former Vol (1981-1984) Reggie McKenzie. And judging from the younger McKenzie’s twitter account, it looks like papa bear is in our corner.
Present from pops he tryna hint something #VolNation ? pic.twitter.com/P7NsDOVy82
— Kahlil McKenzie (@BigBallin28) February 7, 2014
Cherry is a 4* linebacker prospect that has been committed to Tennessee since June, 2013. He’s one of those guys you watch on tape and the first word that comes to mind is,”violent.” He destroys guys. Currently, he’s got other offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Southern Cal. Let’s hope the Vols hang onto this one because Cherry will be a terror against the run in the middle of Tennessee’s defense.
Cherry is the cousin of former Vol running back Tony Thompson. Thompson played at Tennessee from 1987-1990 and led the SEC in rushing in his final season after Chuck Webb was lost for the year.
Though McCleskey isn’t currently rated by the major recruiting services, he recently picked up his first offer from the University of Southern Florida. At 5-foot-10, 155 pounds, his slight build is no doubt a concern for college coaches. But what McCleskey lacks in size, he makes up for in athleticism. McCleskey finished sixth at the New Orleans Nike Football SPARQ Combine, posting a 108.54 SPARQ rating that included a 4.58 forty-yard dash time and a 40-inch vertical leap.
Jalen is the son of former Vol DB/WR J.J. McCleskey. J.J. played with the Vols from1989-1992.
Colbert is a 4* safety prospect with the frame to fill out and play linebacker if coaches decide to go that direction. But I’m no scout, so what I do really know anyway? When you watch his highlight, check out the play at the 3:06 mark. Colbert is nowhere near the ball, but runs the play down just to level some poor kid with a block. Love to see that kind of play on tape. He’s currently got offers from Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn and Clemson among others.
Colbert is also the cousin of former Vols defensive back Fred White. White played for the Vols from 1996-1999, lettered all four years and, of course, won a National Championship during his time with Tennessee.