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New Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt hasn’t been shy about pursuing his former Alabama targets. We’ve seen the Vols come after Alabama targets like JJ Peterson and Dominick Wood-Anderson with success, stealing two recruits from Pruitt’s old boss Nick Saban.
With those two in the fold, Pruitt wants more.
Tennessee has now set their sights on four star linebacker Quay Walker, another big time player out of Georgia. Walker is currently committed to Alabama, but like one anonymous power five coach told SBNation’s Bud Elliott, “If you’re verbally committed, and you don’t sign, you’re not committed.”
Walker has been committed to Alabama since June of last year, for what that’s worth. The fact that Walker is still taking visits and didn’t sign in December tells you all that you need to know.
4-star LB Quay Walker is still committed to #RollTide, but #Auburn, #Gators, #GoDawgs and #Vols are still in play. Walker said, "When I go on my official visits I will be looking for coaches I can trust and how I connect with the team."
— Chad Simmons (@ChadSimmons_) January 3, 2018
WALKER TALKS: https://t.co/sxVJPMmokI pic.twitter.com/Ce8qHhEn95
Walker’s primary recruiter at Alabama — Derrick Ansley — is leaving to become the defensive coordinator at Colorado State. Could that potentially open the door wider for Tennessee and other schools to get in the mix? It certainly seems like it.
Walker is the 65th overall prospect and No. 3 outside linebacker prospect, according to 247 Sports. The 6-4, 220 pound linebacker will pay a visit to Knoxville this weekend, opening the final stretch of his recruitment before national signing day.
— 4 (@QuayWalker4) January 8, 2018
Walker is also set to visit Georgia, Auburn and Florida later in the month.
At 6-4, Walker has the length to play on the edge for Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer. JJ Peterson is likely more a fit on the inside at 6-1, for example. Walker would fill a longer term need on the outside for Tennessee. JUCO four star outside linebacker Jordan Allen likely fills the immediate need on the edge for this defense.
Pruitt clearly has a relationship established here with Walker. We’ll see if he can wrestle him away from the Tide, just he did with like Wood-Anderson and Peterson.