Tennessee hosting two big 2020 targets

Tennessee’s 2020 class is about 90 percent done as we approach the traditional signing day date in February. Unless your school has made a change at head coach, this is the new normal. Most programs are out here fighting over the select few that didn’t officially sign in December, just looking to add one or two more names to their classes.

For the Volunteers, that focus has gone to the receiver position. Tennessee has already signed two players at the spot, but neither have a ton of size. With Darion Williamson now looking less likely to be a part of this class, the staff has shifted focus to four-star prospects Malachi Wideman and Demarcus Beckwith.

Both check in at 6-5 and are two of the biggest targets left on Tennessee’s board. Each prospect will be in Knoxville this weekend for their official visit.

Wideman has remained committed to Florida State through their coaching change, which is likely why he didn’t sign in December. The top 150 prospect would be a massive addition for Tennessee, which will get one of the final looks for Wideman. He also plans on visiting Oregon, and then Florida Atlantic, where Willie Taggart landed.

Beckwith is the cousin of Tennessee basketball player Lamonte Turner. He checks in just outside of the top 300 prospect in the country, according to 247 Sports. He will also visit Kentucky and Florida.

One new name to put on your radar is Dylan Spencer, a three-star offensive tackle who is currently committed to Southern Miss. The 6-4, 300 pound prospect will be on campus this weekend for an official visit, just one day after Kyree Miller re-opened his recruitment.

Spencer is a candidate to take one of the final few spots remaining in the class. He’s been committed to Southern Miss since July.

Final push for Jay Hardy

UPDATE: After a wild day, turns out Hardy signed with Auburn during the early signing period. VolQuest reported that Hardy had signed with Auburn, only for Hardy to deny it. The Tigers were forced to announce the signing once his family acknowledged it.

Not only is Tennessee hosting targets in the 2020 and 2021 classes, but they’re making the trip to see another giant target too. They apparently haven’t given up hope on four-star defensive lineman Jay Hardy just yet, heading south to Chattanooga to watch Hardy play basketball.

Hardy surprisingly chose Auburn over Tennessee, proving plenty of recruiting analysts wrong. But Jeremy Pruitt’s staff never gave up and were given new life when Hardy chose not to sign in December.

On Friday night, they sent a big trio of coaches for one final push.

National Signing Day is Wednesday, February 5th — a little over two weeks from now.