Tennessee makes the cut for top in-state prospect Tyler Baron

Tennessee has landed in the top five of one of their most important targets left on their 2020 recruiting board. Tyler Baron named a “final five” on Friday, which included his home state Volunteers.

Kentucky, Oregon, Oklahoma and Ohio State joined Tennessee in Baron’s top five options.

Baron is the 101st ranked prospect in the 247 Sports composite rankings. The Knoxville Catholic product is the 5th ranked prospect in the state of Tennessee in the class of 2020. Baron checks in at 6-5, 252 pounds, ranking as the 3rd overall strong-side defensive end prospect in the country.

Baron has seen Tennessee at least six times on various visits since the spring. He saw Ohio State in April, while seeing Oklahoma in June. Kentucky made the final five for Baron after sending out a late offer at the end of June.

Tennessee is a perfect six for six in the crystal ball projections for Baron, according to 247 Sports. The Vols have already secured commitments from top in-state prospects Keshawn Lawrence and Cooper Mays. They remain in good standing with Baron, along with four-star defensive lineman Jay Hardy.

Baron projects as a defensive end in Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme and would likely be tasked with adding bulk should he commit to Tennessee. Baron’s tape is filled with plays from both the inside and outside, littered with examples of him shedding blockers at the line of scrimmage.