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Transfer season in the college football world is starting to wrap up. Outside of a couple of cases, we know where some of the top names that were available are heading. Of course, Tennessee was a big player in the grad-transfer world with several weak spots on the roster to fill.
Jeremy Pruitt was able to get running back Madre London and quarterback Keller Chyrst to join him for his first year in Knoxville. Both were mentioned as potential impact players by ESPN today.
Here’s what ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg had to say of Tennessee’s additions.
Madre London, RB, Tennessee: After playing behind LJ Scott for three years at Michigan State, London arrives in Knoxville aiming for the Vols’ featured back spot. Tennessee loses leading rusher John Kelly and has potential successors in the program, namely Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan. But London brings game experience (885 rushing yards, seven touchdowns) and size at 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds.
Keller Chryst, QB, Tennessee: Chryst started 13 games for Stanford and went 6-0 as the Cardinal’s signal-caller in 2016 before losing his job to K.J. Costello midway through last season. He’s expected to push front-runner Jarrett Guarantano when he arrives this summer.
We’ve talked about Chryst quite a bit. As you know, he’s expected to challenge for the starting job once he arrives on campus this summer. Jarrett Guarantano was a bright spot in the spring game, but the more experienced Chryst is still the favorite in most people’s minds to win the job.
Madre London will add a little more pop and size to the Tennessee backfield. It’s worth wondering just how much he is going to end up eating into Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan’s workload. Regardless of that, Tennessee needed another capable body in the backfield. London has the size (6-1, 218) that this staff seems to be targeting on the recruiting trail.
Former Tennessee Volunteer Jalen Hurd was also mentioned in the piece, highlighting his move to receiver. He’s eligible to play at Baylor for this upcoming season. That’s going to be a fascinating situation to follow.