Jalen Cone says he’s reclassifying to 2019, releases commitment date, includes Tennessee in final six

Perhaps Tennessee’s biggest immediate recruiting target has announced that he will officially become a part of the 2019 class. Four-star point guard Jalen Cone will move from the 2020 class to the 2019 class, meaning he can play in the upcoming college basketball season.

Tennessee was one of the first few schools to offer him the chance to move to the 2019 class. Cone was the 81st ranked player in the 2020 class, checking in as the 11th rated point guard, according to the 247 Sports Composite.

Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, N.C. State, Wake Forest and Boston College made his top six, along with Tennessee. Cone also announced that he will commit on Thursday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. ET.

Cone was scheduled to take his official visit to Tennessee on May 10th. He’s already taken his official visit to Blacksburg to see Virginia Tech.

Tennessee has zeroed in on Cone has a potential replacement for Jordan Bone’s minutes, of course, assuming Bone stays in the NBA Draft. However, with the potential transfer of Derrick Walker, Rick Barnes may now have an open scholarship regardless of what Bone ultimately decides to do.

The Vols will return Lamonte Turner and add in five-star combo guard Josiah James, who could help shoulder some of the load at the point guard position. If Cone doesn’t pick Tennessee, Barnes could be forced to hit the grad-transfer market to create some more depth in the backcourt.