2019 NSD Wrap

At some point, I'll end up doing a larger article that covers all the anticipated new additions to the roster, but this isn't that article. For an early signing period recap, here is the link to check all of that out. The final class rankings right now have the Vols with the #12 class in the 247Sports composite and a 90.49 average grade per recruit (4-star average). This article will focus on the newest signees and blueshirts. I'll also touch on a handful of preferred walk-ons that are set to join the Vols as well.

SIGNEES

Darnell Wright, 6-6, 320, OL, 5-star - A long-time priority for the Tennessee staff, Wright is one of the nation's best at the offensive tackle position, and the ability for the Vols to pair him with Wanya Morris is a huge win. Wright is already strong and has good footwork, enabling him to be someone who plays early. Wright played at right tackle in the Under Armour All-America Game, and I think that's probably his most natural early fit in college. That's not to say he couldn't eventually play left tackle, but he'll probably need to improve his lateral movement and athleticism before making that move. He's very similar to a former Vol offensive tackle, in my opinion, current Miami Dolphin Ja'Wuan James. The former 4-year starter has become a mainstay on the Dolphin offensive line at right tackle after starring in the role in Knoxville, and Wright certainly looks like he may follow in the footsteps of the former 5-star and first-round NFL Draft selection.

Henry To'oto'o, 6-2, 230, LB, 4-star - After things began to look like they were trending away from the Vols, this was a major victory at the end to land the elite linebacker over Alabama and Washington. To'oto'o can likely play at least three of the four linebacker spots, and he is as athletic as any linebacker in the country. That athleticism can work against him when he overpursues on a play, but he is still athletic enough to recover and make the play after that mistake. At first blush, he reminds me of former Tennessee Vol and New England Patriot Jerod Mayo in size, athleticism, and skill set.

BLUESHIRT

Anthony Harris, 6-2, 171, S, 4-star - A former high school quarterback, this long safety has all the athleticism you could ever want in a future safety. Aside from having an insane senior season at quarterback, as a safety, he finished his career with 168 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, a sack, 7 interceptions, and a forced fumble. He's effective in pretty much every phase of the game as a safety, but he has growing to do before being ready to make an impact. Micah Hyde is the comparison that comes to mind as Harris will probably never be a 200+ pound safety, but he will be very productive nonetheless as a free safety.

Kenney Solomon, 6-0, 170, CB, 3-star - If I ever figure out how his recruitment wasn't more active, I'll let you know because watching his film, looking at his stats, and seeing his size I frankly can't explain it. He's long, athletic, excelled on offense, defense, and special teams in high school, and seems to be a great young man by all accounts. He has seen his recruitment pick up with Tennessee joining Rutgers, Louisville, Colorado, and UCF among others in offering him. He's very similar to recent Denver Bronco Tramaine Brock in size, skill set, etc. and could be capable of competing for early playing time.

PREFERRED WALK-ON

Ethan Rinke, 6-4, 240, LB/DE, 3-star - Rinke had plenty of opportunities to play football on scholarship somewhere, including FBS programs Army, Bowling Green, and South Alabama. Instead, he's decided to walk-on with the Vols, one of a few SEC teams he grew up following. He had a quality senior season with 70 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He's one of a few incoming preferred walk-ons that are the types of talents you need to add to upgrade both the scout team and maybe even find someone who can contribute down the line. He'll get his first look at outside linebacker, but my guess is that he'll end up at defensive end before long.

Parker Ball, 6-4, 285, OL, 2-star - Ball is another quality addition, showing solid snapping ability, good judgment in taking blocks to the second level, and solid footwork and drive when blocking. Ball could stand to get stronger, but that's normal for almost everyone making the move from high school to college. Ball is also set to play baseball at Tennessee, so I guess one could say he's just a "Ball" player (I apologize for the bad/dad joke).

Devon Dillehay, 6-2, 210, LB, 2-star - Fun fact: I played for Northeast High as a freshman before a new high school opened and I found myself moving from an Eagle to a Hawk. Speaking of Eagles, Dillehay will seek to be the third Eagle in the last 25 years to make a big impact for the Vols, aiming to follow in the footsteps of Travis Stephens and Jalen Reeves-Maybin. A very good kicker in high school and a solid contributor on offense, it appears likely that defense will be his home in college. In two seasons, he stockpiled 239 tackles, 73 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, an interception, and three blocked kicks (2 punts, 1 field goal). He'll need to add some weight to his frame, but he certainly looks like a player with the potential to at least offer up a solid reserve and special teams option.

Fred Orr, 5-11, 195, RB, 2-star - Another Clarksvillian who played last season for Northeast High, he began his career at Rossview across town. He was a productive offensive player, producing 3,525 rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns while running for a 7.1 yard per carry clip. He also had 64 receptions for 770 yards and 2 touchdowns, good for 12 yards per catch. As a senior, just for good measure, he also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Orr isn't the quickest back you'll see, but he is well-built and runs with some power and quickness, not entirely dissimilar to current Vol Tim Jordan. He's certainly not a guy that will be called upon to contribute early, but within a college strength and conditioning program, he could be a special teams contributor and occasional ball carrier.

Kwauze Garland, 6-2, 190, S/LB, unranked - The younger brother of current Vol defensive lineman Kurott Garland, Kwauze is a fair bit slimmer, likely projecting as a safety after finding himself playing a bit of everything in the back seven in high school. He finished his high school career with 235 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 6 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles. A big hitter who needs to find a permanent home, he has shown solid production at both safety and linebacker. I'd venture right now to guess his final home will be in the secondary, where he has the size to develop into a contributor down the line.

Deontae Beauchamp, 6-1, 228, LB unranked - Beauchamp was a wide receiver primarily until his senior season when he started seeing playing time on defense at linebacker, where he had 37 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, a sack, and two fumble recoveries. On offense, he had 73 receptions for 652 yards and 6 touchdowns as well as 12 carries for 74 yards over three seasons. At the end of the day, his upside was going to be limited offensively, but it's only just being tapped on defense. Time will tell if he can develop into more than a special teams and scout team performer, but he at least appears to have some potential.

West Shuler, 6-3, 223, LB, unranked - The son of Heath Shuler, this legacy enrolled early to begin his Tennessee career. Although he has played some quarterback in the past, this Shuler appears to be very much a future linebacker after racking up 361 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 5 interceptions, and a couple of forced fumbles (at least). Considering these numbers came about across two schools, some of the stats, especially tackles for loss, seem to be off, but what isn't in doubt is that Shuler is a high-volume tackler and active defender. Shuler is a bit reminiscent of former Vol and current Memphis Express linebacker Colton Jumper, although he appears to get sideline to sideline a bit better.

Bryan Aiken, 6-4, 235, LB/DE, unranked - A late decision to join the Vols as a preferred walk-on gave the Vols another big, productive pass rushing option. Aiken, as a senior, had 81 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 16 quarterback hurries. He's long and certainly looks the part of a college defensive end or pass-rushing outside linebacker. He'll need to make more explosive plays on the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage, but as with most things that comes with coaching and development.

Camden Partington, 6-6, 245, DE, unranked - Long and strong summarizes Partington. Although I think the stats are somewhat incomplete, in watching his film a lot of his plays were made behind the line of scrimmage, and his recorded stats of 38 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks over two seasons would mean close to a third of his plays would be for negative yardage. He is a large man with room to add to his frame, and he at least has the frame that the staff wants on the defensive line.

Dayne Davis, 6-7, 316, OT, unranked - Big man. He's not the quickest from a footwork standpoint, and in all likelihood, he will find himself at guard in college. He finishes blocks well, but he doesn't get on blocks quickly so he can be a possible liability when it comes to pulling. A project as he needs to improve his strength and athleticism, but the former Tusculum commitment is a quality addition.

Michael Bittner, 6-2, 205, QB, unranked - Largely used as a runner more than a passer until his senior season, he was arguably an offensive weapon more than a true quarterback. When it was all said and done, over three seasons he passed for 3,383 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions while completing 59.5%, ran for 1,549 yards and 29 touchdowns on 3.9 yards per carry, and 44 yards receiving on nine catches. He may develop into a quarterback, but his running and catching ability may give him some utility down the line at fullback or running back. Tennessee is currently set to have just three quarterbacks in 2019, so Bittner's presence is at least helpful for depth.

Bear in mind that preferred walk-ons and blueshirts aren't guaranteed to join the program until they enroll and begin practicing. These are declarations of intent at this point and won't mean anything until they are on campus for good.