clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Weekend Recruiting Roundup

Butch added another Brick this week for 2016: Who else is currently on Tennessee's radar?

By Michael W Bratton
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Them Vols added an in-state linebacker in Tim Hart of Memphis University School, which strangely enough is a high school, most likely located in Memphis, TN.

According to Hart's 247 Sports profile, the linebacker is regarded as a three-star prospect and had offers from Ole Miss, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri and Memphis among others.

Hart attends the same high school that produced 2015 five-star offensive tackle Drew Richmond as well as walk-on defensive back Maleik Gatewood, both current members of Team 119.

Hart will continue to add the versatility to the Vols' linebacking corp that the current staff appears to be high on, similar to Dillon Bates/Quarte Sapp, which are players that can excel in coverage duties as well as their ability to accumulate a high number of tackles on the field. With spread and up-tempo offenses becoming more and more popular, linebackers that can stay on the field for all three downs become of paramount importance to a successful defense.

Hart's highlights can be seen here.

With Hart now in the fold, Tennessee has 12 prospects committed to their 2016 class, with Hart the first linebacker commit.

Tennessee is expected to sign around 20 prospects in class after signing over 60 players in their last two classes. With spots on the roster hard to come by, expect the team to focus their remaining slots on a few elite prospects. Which national prospects are trending towards the Vols?

Diondre Overton - WR

Overton is considered a 247 Sports Composite four-star prospect. Overton recently tweeted out his five finalists:

While Overton has put five schools on the list, I've been told it's truly a battle between Clemson and Tennessee for his services. Butch has really been able to lock down the state of North Carolina during his time on Rocky Top and Overton would be a nice addition to the Carolina pipeline the Vols currently have going. Check out Overton's highlights here.

In fact, according to Ryan Bartow of 247 Sports, the Vols have a chance at accomplishing an amazing feat, as the top five players from the state of North Carolina in 2017 are all considering committing to Tennessee.

Nigel Knott - CB

Knott is also considered a 247 Sports Composite four-star prospect with essentially his choice of every elite school in the nation. Tennessee has made Knott their top defensive back target and stand a good shot at landing the Mississippi native.

Knott was in town during the team's Orange Carpet Day:

Donnie Corley - WR

Corley is yet another 247 Sports Composite four-star prospect that's high on the Vols. Corley was all set to announce his decision, likely to Michigan State, but the Detroit area native had second thoughts after visiting Tennessee during their Orange Carpet Day event, which he called his best visit yet:

Derrick Brown - DT

Brown is the top ranked player in the state of Georgia, according to 247 Sports, and is rated as a five-star prospect. Brown has visited campus twice now for unofficial visits and has said to be close with five-star enrollee Kahlil McKenzie. McKenzie is known as the key to the Vols latest recruiting class, as not only the best prospect signed, he helped push several elite recruits towards Tennessee last winter and he very well could do the same this fall for the team.

Emanuel Bridges - LB

Bridges, rated as a 247 Sports Composite three-star prospect was once a Tennessee commit, but he decommitted only a few months after his original pledge. Despite walking away from this commitment, Bridges didn't eliminate the Vols and recently tweeted out his top five schools.

Mykelle McDaniel - DT

McDaniel is a 247 Sports Composite three-star prospect from Georgia. He recently tweeted out his finalists, which including Tennessee. Check out his highlights here.

More From Rocky Top Talk