The biggest hole that still remained in the Tennessee Volunteers' 2016 recruiting class was at running back, as the Vols were still shut out at that position heading into the start of fall camp next week. But early Thursday morning, the Vols received some good news on that front.
Carlin Fils-Aime, a four-star running back according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, committed to the Vols Thursday morning, giving Tennessee their first running back commit in the 2016 class and their 14th overall commitment. Fils-Aime, out of Naples, Florida, holds offers from over a dozen other schools, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, and Ohio State. Fils-Aime was originally supposed to announce his decision on Saturday, but chose to take to Twitter Thursday morning to declare his intentions.
As of today, I am a Tennessee commit. #govols #VolNation
— Carlin Fils-aime (@cboystunna3) July 30, 2015
The conversation this week around gaining a running back commitment in the 2016 class surrounded five-star Clemson commit Tavien Feaster after he attended Orange Carpet Day on Saturday and came away impressed, claiming he "most definitely has to reevaluate everything" after the trip. But Fils-Aime beat Feaster to the punch and became Tennessee's first 2016 running back commit.
Last season, Fils-Aime was slowed by a left ankle injury that caused him to miss the majority of his junior year. Through just four games, however, Fils-Aime carried the ball 26 times for 232 yards and 3 scores. As the second-string running back in 2013, Fils-Aime ran for 873 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 92 carries.
Fils-Aime possesses play-making ability and a good frame at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds. While it appears more unlikely now that the Vols can flip Feaster from Clemson to add to their 2016 class, landing Fils-Aime at least helps the Vols not be shut out at running back, arguably their biggest position of need in this recruiting cycle. And Fils-Aime is no slouch either, as attested by his offer list and impressive numbers on minimal carries.