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BJ Edwards, a 4-star guard from Knoxville Catholic in the 2022 class, will commit tomorrow, July 1st, at 1 PM.
Top-50 junior BJ Edwards Jr. will announce his college commitment tomorrow at 1:00 E.T, he told @Stockrisers. Has taken official visits to Wake Forest, Florida, and Tennessee. One of the best players in his position in the class.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) June 30, 2021
The timing of Edwards’ announcement can absolutely be interpreted as a positive for the Vols since he’s just coming off his official visit to Tennessee this past weekend. Edwards also visited Florida recently, but he’s a highly-rated instate prospect who plays AAU ball on Bobby Maze’s BMAZE ELITE squad. For some context — Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Drew Pember and Jaden Springer all suited up for Bobby’s AAU team before attending Tennessee.
Edwards, 6-3, 170, is listed as the fourth-best player in Tennessee, according to 247Sports. He has eight predictions listed on 247Sports dot com, and all eight have him committing to the Vols.
Something else worth to mentioning: Edwards took his official visit to Tennessee with 4-star forward Dillon Mitchell.
Had a amazing time on my Official Visit at the University Of Tennessee! Thank you to Coach Barnes and the rest of the coaches and staff! Rocky Top...what you think??#notcommitted pic.twitter.com/zm675aiuhQ
— Dillon Mitchell (@Dillonmit_23) June 29, 2021
(bottom-left picture is Mitchell and Edwards)
Mitchell is a 6-7 wing/ forward from Florida and currently ranks as a top-40 player nationally via 247, but he hasn’t yet set a commitment date.
I’m sure the Vols have a fight on their hands for Mitchell — he’s got offers from Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, Ohio State and others. That’s likely why the staff had Edwards take his official at the same time. Coaches get paid to recruit, but sometimes the best recruiters are other players in the class.
Longtime 247 analyst Jerry Meyer’s evaluation of Edwards:
Possesses good size for a point guard. Plays low to the ground and has an overall physical game. Not a high riser as a leaper but gets off the floor quickly and with power. Has functional athleticism and seeks out contact. Would rather penetrate but is a solid to good shooter when he does shoot from deep. Can attack going either direction and thrives off quick changes of direction and crafty changes of pace. Shoots the pull up jumper well and has a nifty floater and a scoop lay up. Is a very composed ball handler who controls his pace. Sees the court and is a quality distributer. Rebounds his position at a high level and is a tough defender who can guard multiple positions.
Peep some Edwards’ highlights here:
And Mitchell’s here (NSFW language warning):