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Even as the Vols have overachieved in the non-conference to take some of the black cloud of NCAA investigation away from Donnie Tyndall, its overall impact in recruiting is certainly still a difference maker. When news of the investigation at Southern Miss hit, the Vols lost 2015 commit Chris Clarke, a four-star who showed Tyndall could get the Vols up the ladder in recruiting right away.
But today Tyndall landed another four star, this time for the 2016 class: Romello White, listed at 6'8" 205, committed to the Vols today:
Glad to say I'm committing to the university of Tennessee #VolNation #truly blessed Thank you to all the coaches that recruited me
— #K.A.M.Ⓜ️.M_MELLO (@mellosworld_23) January 5, 2015
White is ranked 147th in 247 Sports' composite rankings overall and 32nd among power forwards. That service ranks him 62nd overall and 16th among power forwards. He played in Georgia before moving to IMG Academy in Florida.
It's a great start for Tennessee's 2016 class (which will arrive to play in the 2016-17 season) and an excellent sign for Tyndall. Winning always helps recruiting, but with so much uncertainty you just didn't know how much top-tier recruiting he was going to be able to do until we figure out where all this is going. It's two years away, but White's commitment shows the Vols can be a major player under Tyndall even before the product is winning or before all the smoke has cleared.
The Vols' 2015 class currently includes three-star guard Shembari Phillips and three-star forward Admiral Schofield. Hopefully White's commitment gives additional momentum to Tennessee's recruiting.