No. 1 cornerback Tony Grimes has Tennessee in top eight

List season continues this morning as the Tennessee Volunteers have emerged as a top choice of another top prospect. Five-star cornerback Tony Grimes released his top eight on Wednesday, putting Tennessee in the mix alongside of Clemson, Virgina, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Penn State, North Carolina and Georgia.

We’ve talked about Tennessee’s need at cornerback for the past few weeks, so being in the mix for Grimes is a big deal for the Volunteers. Tennessee will lose Baylen Buchanan after this year, and could also lose Bryce Thompson to the NFL. Things currently look fairly thin lower on the depth chart, so adding a few bodies to that room is a must in this cycle.

Grimes is the nation’s top ranked cornerback prospect. He’s the 7th overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings and the top prospect in the state of Virginia. Grimes checks in at 6-0, 180 pounds. He’s a two-sport athlete, doubling as a track and field star.

Tennessee was able to get Grimes on campus in the spring of 2019 for an unofficial visit. His most recent visits before the recruiting pause were Georgia and Penn State. The Bulldogs currently lead in his crystal ball projections, holding four of six votes.

On the field, Grimes puts his track athleticism to good use. He’s coveted due to his fluidity and ability to turn and run with anyone. Wherever he lands, you can expect Grimes to be an impact player from day one.

Tennessee currently has two cornerback commitments in three-stars Jay Jones and Nate Evans. Their class of 2021 checks in at 13th in the nation right now with nine commitments.