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Four Star Running Back Alvin Kamara Commits to Tennessee

Alvin Kamara, the number two rated all purpose back in the country in 2013, committed to Tennessee today.

By Hunter Turner
Kamara as a high school recruit
Kamara as a high school recruit
SBNation

Where did he come from?

Alvin Kamara committed to the Crimson Tide out of Norcross High School in Georgia, where he was a four star running back with offers from Georgia, Florida State, and Tennessee, among others (all of SBNation's excellent coverage of his recruitment is here). In Tuscaloosa, Kamara found himself fighting it out on the depth chart with a slew of other elite backs from the 2013 class, including Derrick Henry, Altee Tenpenny, and Tyren Jones. After a season where he did not see the field, and frequently found himself in Nick Saban's doghouse for a variety of minor infractions, Kamara elected to transfer to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas for the 2014 season.

How did he end up at Tennessee?

Long thought to be headed to Georgia following his decision to transfer, Kamara was recruited to Tennessee by his friends and current Vols Jason Croom and Ryan Jenkins. Kamara is also allegedly dating Diamond DeShields, a women's basketball player who recently transferred to Tennessee (Pendley discusses DeShield's transfer in his fantastic preview of the Lady Vols).

How will he fit into the Tennessee offense?

Kamara is a perfect fit for Butch Jones' smashmouth spread offense, because he is a good pass-catcher who is extremely dangerous in space, with quick acceleration and good change of direction. He was never going to be a particularly good fit in former Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier's power-I offense, which favors powerful straight ahead runners like Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry. Kamara is comparable to 2014 Tennessee running back recruit Derrell Scott, only older, stronger, and faster. As a transfer from Junior College, Kamara should be eligible to play immediately in 2015, and have three years to play three (since he transferred after his first season).

Tennessee is hosting a ton of elite players this weekend for the Orange Carpet recruiting event, so we're expecting several more commits as the weekend continues, with a close eye on in-state four star cornerback Cameron Ordway and Georgia four star linebacker Quarte Sapp.

Go Vols!

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