What's More Important: Recruiting Prowess or Coaching Capacity?

Do you need to be an elite recruiter to win, or can someone who coaches bring mediocre players up to an elite level? It's something that gets discussed from time to time when a team with seemingly subpar talent breaks through and plays with the big boys, or when a coach who can recruit well but might be suspect with talent development has a double-digit win season. Both certainly do happen at times. Now, it's painfully obvious that coaches who can do both are the ones who typically find themselves at the top of the mountain most often, so it's not really a zero sum game and being able to do one or the other very well is no guarantee of success. Still, at the end of the day, is one more important than the other? Well, I may not offer up a definitive answer, but I'll do my best.

Boise State. Utah State. UCF. TCU before the Big 12. Houston. Memphis. These are all clearly examples of a coach doing more with less, but they also faced lesser opponents. Justin Fuente has continued his success at Virginia Tech, although not at the level of his success at Memphis. Boise State has had success even after coaching changes. TCU maintained success in the Big 12, but the recruiting also correspondingly improved with that move. Houston has continued to have strong success in life after Tom Herman. It's complicated to evaluate these teams because of the level of competition and usual revolving door of coaches that maintain a relative degree of success. These are the types of coaches and programs people like to point to, but seeing an Urban Meyer come out of those situations is more the exception than the norm.

So instead of focusing on these situations, I'm going to shift to the elite recruiters who don't have the type of success one might expect. Butch Jones is an obvious one to Vol fans. Although he had a couple of relatively successful seasons, top 5, 10, and 15 classes never led to anything better than a nine win season. Player development was an obvious issue. That is almost universally agreed upon. Let's look at Brian Kelly then. His recruiting has been excellent at Notre Dame. Only once during his time at Notre Dame has Kelly brought in a class outside of the top 15, and yet that has led to two 10 win seasons and one national championship appearance in eight seasons and a 67% winning percentage. That's an average of 8.625 wins per season. The results remain mostly mediocre despite consistent recruiting success. Some defenders of Kelly would point to the schedule they play, but it's worth noting that their strength of schedule averages out to roughly 20th nationally and has been as low as 32nd and never higher than 7th in his eight seasons. That's roughly on par with Clemson over that same period and clearly worse than programs like Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia. Essentially, what I'm saying is that recruiting alone can only get you so far. You have to turn the talent in place into something elite.

Compare that to a coach like Mike Gundy, who over that same timeframe has landed one top 25 class, has won 75% of his games with six 10 win seasons, and has had an average strength of schedule of 19.25. That means comparable strength of schedule, improved winning percentage, but significantly lesser recruiting results. Gundy and staff are clearly maximizing the potential of the players on the roster, getting the most out of them through development and coaching. Another interesting example is Dan Mullen, whose recruiting classes averaged out to 28th nationally per season with a strength of schedule of 24.75 and a 62% winning percentage. With the exception of maybe Arkansas, Mississippi State had arguably the worst recruiting average in the SEC West, yet managed to be a perennial winning program under Mullen's guidance in spite of it. Again, we're looking at a comparable strength of schedule to Notre Dame, a comparable winning percentage to Brian Kelly, yet a significantly weaker annual recruiting average.

Now, having talked about all of this, I'm obviously making the case for development over recruiting, but what about coaches that we know can do both over a sustained timeframe. I'll start with Clemson's Dabo Swinney. Swinney has won 80% of his games over the last eight seasons against a strength of schedule that averaged 22nd nationally. In doing so, Swinney's recruiting classes have averaged 15.5 nationally. During this period, Clemson has won 6 division titles, 4 conference titles, made three playoff appearances, 2 national title games, and won a national title. While he's recruiting at roughly the same level as Brian Kelly, Swinney has maximized that talent much better than Kelly has done over the same time. Now, having said all of this, I would be remiss if I didn't address the best in the business at winning right now, Nick Saban. Over the same eight year period, Saban's Alabama teams have won an average of 89.2% of the games they played against a strength of schedule that averaged 3rd nationally while recruiting all but one top ranked class nationally. During that period he won 6 division titles, 4 conference titles, participated in every college football playoff, made 5 national title game, and won 4 national titles. If we accept the earlier examples that prove that coaching matters more than recruiting, it becomes abundantly clear that Saban, like Swinney, excels at both.

At least early on, we have clear proof that Tennessee's new head coach and incoming staff can recruit, but it's becoming increasingly likely that these are coaches who can also develop talent as a result of the other coaches they've worked with at various times, coaches like Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher, Kirby Smart, Gus Malzahn, and Dabo Swinney. It comes down to development of coaches as well as the development of players, and the ability to identify talent, bring it in, and maximize it. Will Tennessee's staff check off all these boxes in the end? Only time will tell, but it's safe to say they've learned their craft from some of the best in the business.

Way Too Early Depth Chart Projections

So let me start this by saying this is all in good fun. National Signing Day has yet to come, so the roster isn't even close to set in stone yet. It's pure speculation based on how some guys played last season and who fits where from the players currently expected to be Vols by the start of next season. It can change, will change, and likely must change for the Vols to have any chance at success beyond the .500 mark. So take this for what it is; a bit of time killing fun as we wait for the staff to be finalized, the dead period to end, and NSD to come around.

• Quarterback
• Jarrett Guarantano - 6-4, 200, RSO
• Quinten Dormady - 6-4, 222, SR
• So allow me to offer up my logic on this one here. Guarantano wasn't great last year, but he graded out better than either Dormady or McBride. Of course, Dormady wasn't health and McBride was a true freshman. I don't know that Guarantano will hold onto the job. Dormady had flashes before his shoulder degraded to the point that his play suffered in a major way. What I do know is that if things remain as they were at the end of this past season, Guarantano is likely to be the starter. 
• Running back
• Ty Chandler - 5-11, 195, SO
• Carlin Fils-aime - 5-11, 183, JR
• This one I feel pretty alright about. With John Kelly off to the draft, Chandler and Fils-aime are the top two returning running backs. They combined for 102 carries for 520 yards and 4 touchdowns along with 12 receptions for 126 yards. That's 5.1 yards per carry and 10.5 yards per reception. Both also were graded well for their play by Pro Football Focus. Of course, Tim Jordan also graded well in his limited carries and at least one definite addition to the backfield is coming in big back Jeremy Banks, but I'm going with the safe bets here rather than the gamble.
• Wide Receiver 1
• Marquez Callaway - 6-2, 199, JR
• Josh Palmer - 6-2, 198, SO
• Again, playing things safe here. This could change if Jauan Jennings is reinstated or if certain additions are made in recruiting, but right now I'm pretty comfortable with these two. Callaway finished second on the team in receptions and yards, but led by a significant margin in touchdowns. Palmer was #3 among returners in receptions. He was inconsistent at times, but Palmer has shown flashes and should only improve with further coaching.
• Wide Receiver 2
• Brandon Johnson - 6-2, 193, JR
• Princeton Fant - 6-2, 216, RFR
• I'm all in on Johnson being the top option here. I'm a lot less confident in Fant. Johnson led the team in receptions and receiving yards. He was honestly the most reliable receiver on the season. He was pretty solid as a freshman too. Fant didn't play last season, and at one time it was just understood that he would move to tight end. At this point, I think that's probably less likely with the new staff, and given the returning receivers I think that Fant may have a chance to part of the rotation at receiver. However, the right additions could move him out of the top two at one of the receiver spots.
• Slot Receiver
• Jordan Murphy - 5-11, 170, SO
• Alontae Taylor - 6-0, 184, FR
• Murphy played more last season than any of the other slot receiver candidates, and he's the only one to register a reception with Josh Smith out of eligibility and Tyler Byrd likely headed to defense. Murphy was highly sought after out of high school, but he and fellow receiver Jacquez Jones were unable to enroll until the second summer session, which set them both back a little. I'm sticking with Murphy's talent to lead the way at this spot. So why not Jones or Latrell Williams as the #2 in the slot? Taylor is just too talented, despite making the move from high school quarterback to wide receiver. If Taylor were starting by the end of the season, I wouldn't be shocked. That said, Callaway, Johnson, and Murphy were also the three top graded returning receivers.
• Tight End
• Dominick Wood-Anderson - 6-5, 245, JR
• Eli Wolf - 6-4, 224, RJR
• Wood-Anderson is a special talent at tight end. He has drawn comparisons to former Alabama and current Tampa Bay tight end O.J. Howard. For context, Howard was selected in the first round of this past draft. With Ethan Wolf graduated, Wood-Anderson is the best fit to fill in. Eli Wolf finished last season with a solid grade and was second in receptions among tight ends last season behind only his older brother. Wolf could be challenged by LaTrell Bumphus, but Bumphus could also prove to be a candidate for the defensive side of the ball as well. Basically, after Wood-Anderson, things will get a bit jumbled with a number of unproven options who might be able to do the job but maybe not quite the ideal fit for what the new staff is looking for at the position. Moving offensive lineman Nathan Niehaus to tight end is on the table at this point.
• Left Tackle
• Trey Smith - 6-6, 320, SO
• Drew Richmond - 6-5, 309, RJR
• I've gone back and forth on this, but I've finally just accepted the reality: Drew Richmond was a liability last season and has likely lost the starting left tackle job for good, especially if guys like K'Rojhn Calbert and Chance Hall come back healthy. In fact, if the numbers support it, I think moving Richmond inside to guard might be a good move for him. Right now, I don't know that such a move will be practical. Trey Smith had the highest grade of any Vol offensive lineman despite being a true freshman and the 19th highest in the SEC among all offensive linemen. He was excellent. If the Vols want to improve their offense, they have to plug Smith into the most important spot on the offensive line for good.
• Left Guard
• Jerome Carvin - 6-4, 330, FR
• K'Rojhn Calbert - 6-5, 316, RFR
• Carvin is just too good at this point to keep off the field. The proven options are few and far between, so gambling on an incredibly talented young play only makes sense. Calbert fits a similar description at this point. He could also be an option at tackle, but for now I'm going to lean on guard for a young and inexperienced offensive lineman.
• Center
• Ollie Lane - 6-5, 285, FR
• Ryan Johnson - 6-6, 300, RSO
• Ollie Lane is an excellent interior lineman and an early enrollee. Meanwhile, no true centers are on the roster and Johnson struggled at guard and in the little work he got at center as well. This could probably go either way, but I like Lane. He doesn't have many bad habits on film, so there isn't too much to fix with him.
• Right Guard
• Riley Locklear - 6-5, 295, SO
• Devante Brooks - 6-5, 282, RSO
• Locklear was a true freshman last year, but he played better than your average freshman. In fact, he was the second highest graded player on offense against LSU and highest graded offensive lineman. Basically, he had some freshman moments but also shined at times. He's likely reached the point where he needs to be on the field. Brooks struggled at tackle. Giving him a look at guard is an option unless the Vols can add another body or two at the guard position.
• Right Tackle
• Jahmir Johnson - 6-5, 290, JR
• Chance Hall - 6-4, 315, RJR
• Johnson was one of the top JUCO offensive tackles in the past cycle, and his length and athleticism are perfect for the right tackle spot. Marcus Tatum struggled last year, along with most of the offensive line, so if he's healthy enough to play, Chance Hall should be in the two deep somewhere. That said, it's hard to envision Hall being his old self right away, so I think Johnson will be the top dog at right tackle.
• Left End
• Jonathan Kongbo - 6-6, 264, RSR
• Greg Emerson - 6-3, 280, FR
• Kongbo has been working like he wants to move to linebacker in the new defensive scheme, but realistically this big bodied end won't be making that move. Instead, he'll use his size and strength at the end position, sticking at end when the defense shifts into a 4-3 look. Emerson is another player determined to be an end, and with his size and athleticism there's no reason he shouldn't fit well into the scheme. Emerson is probably too natural a fit to keep off the field this coming season. If Kongbo makes the move to linebacker or if Emerson isn't yet 100%, I'd expect Matthew Butler to be in the mix here. He should be part of the rotation regardless.
• Nose Guard
• Alexis Johnson - 6-4, 300, RSR
• Eric Crosby - 6-1, 336, RFR
• Johnson wasn't nearly as highly graded as McKenzie, who led the Vols defensive linemen in grade, but certainly graded higher than some of the other defensive tackles last season. Eric Crosby should take advantage of the early departure of Kahlil McKenzie in order to serve as the #2 at the nose, unless he really takes the bull by the horns and takes over the starting job.
• Right End
• Shy Tuttle - 6-2, 308, SR
• Kyle Phillips - 6-4, 263, SR
• I think Phillips is probably too big to make the move to linebacker, and Tuttle is probably a bit too athletic to waste at nose guard. That said, if Phillips were to make the move to linebacker, look for Kivon Bennett or Brant Lawless to make a move here. Quay Picou could also be an option here. Tuttle is on the road to getting healthy. If he does, watch out. He's very, very good and more athletic than you'd expect from a man his size.
• Jack Linebacker
• Darrell Taylor - 6-4, 254, RJR
• Jordan Allen - 6-5, 230, RSO
• Darrell Taylor was ridiculously athletic from the time he arrived on campus and that hasn't changed as he's added weight. Despite some struggles across the defense, Taylor still had a strong sophomore campaign with 27 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 5 quarterback hurries. He can still move like a linebacker and should fit in perfectly as the Jack, a hybrid LB/DE. Jordan Allen was a high school wide receiver and defensive back, so that's just a little sample of how athletic he is. He's an ideal fit for this position in the new defense.
• Weakside Linebacker
• Darrin Kirkland Jr. - 6-1, 238, RJR
• JJ Peterson - 6-2, 210, FR
• Kirkland has had some health issues, but not enough to lead you to believe he's anything but one of the best linebackers on the roster when he's healthy. He's got the size and speed to make plays at any time, and now that he has a chance to move to the weakside spot, he won't have to spend all his time thinking and can just play fast and hard. Peterson is an amazing athlete, and although he may not have the ideal size yet he's too good to keep off the field.
• Middle Linebacker
• Daniel Bituli - 6-3, 235, JR
• Will Ignont - 6-1, 228, SO
• Bituli had a breakout season last year. He established himself as the middle linebacker, and I expect him to retain that role going forward. He looks the part of an Alabama linebacker, and he should be quick to adapt to the new scheme. Ignont had a surprisingly good season by grade despite limited playing time. He too should benefit from the new defense and improved coaching. 
• Strongside Linebacker
• Quarte' Sapp - 6-2, 222, RJR
• Austin Smith - 6-3, 236, RJR
• Plugging Sapp in here is predicated on him adding weight, which is something that I think he can and will do. Put 8-10 pounds on Sapp and he should be a perfect fit for the strongside spot. Austin Smith has still been fighting to stay healthy, but when he's been healthy he's impressed. These two players have both shown promise, although Sapp has had more opportunities to show off his talents. 
• Cornerback 1
• Tyler Byrd - 6-0, 195, JR
• Marquill Osborne - 5-11, 188, JR
• Byrd was one of the most highly regarded corners in his class, so of course he's spent the last two seasons on offense. Logic, right? Osborne hasn't been great yet, but he's been serviceable for the most part. At this point, it's hard to believe that the staff won't add corners to the class, and if they do I have every reason to believe Osborne will be one of the odd men out or shift inside to nickel.
• Cornerback 2
• Cheyenne Labruzza - 6-0, 188, SO
• Baylen Buchanan - 5-11, 185, JR
• Labruzza didn't play most of last season, but in camp he showed flashes. So much so that the previous staff decided to try him at safety even though he'd been showing flashes at corner because, well, logic again. Labruzza is another defensive back with the kind of size that the new staff covets. Buchanan again has been serviceable and might be best suited at nickel at this point, but until the numbers improve at corner this is how he'll have to fit in.
• Nickelback/Star
• Shawn Shamburger - 6-0, 191, SO
• Micah Abernathy - 6-0, 203, SR
• Shamburger was an excellent player in the secondary for a freshman. He was far from perfect, but given that he was pressed into action by injuries, he gave you about all you could have asked for. In fact, Shamburger, a big, physical corner, might be one guy I think holds this job regardless of recruiting. He's a corner with safety size and the aggression to make plays in the backfield. In other words, he makes perfect sense at the nickel spot. Abernathy struggled at safety last year. Mind you, he had to play a lot of downs, but I think a change of pace back to the nickel/star role is probably going to serve him well. He's not a free safety, and Warrior will be entrenched at strong safety. This is likely his best fit next season.
• Strong Safety
• Nigel Warrior - 6-0, 194, JR
• Maleik Gray - 6-2, 191, RFR
• Warrior had a breakout season last year, and he is the closest thing to Minkah Fitzpatrick on the roster right now. That's how he'll be used by the new staff. As an in-the-box safety, Warrior has the speed and aggression to get the job done while also handling business in coverage as necessary. Gray, a high school linebacker, should adjust well to the new scheme as his duties will be more similar to those of an outside linebacker than they were in the prior defensive scheme.
• Free Safety
• Todd Kelly Jr. - 5-11, 200, RSR
• Theo Jackson - 6-1, 178, SO
• Kelly is back and it's a no brainer to say he'll be motivated. An injury derailed last season for him, and he's out to prove he's an NFL talent. His speed has been a question at times, but his instincts as a free safety have served him well to the tune of 14 passes defended and 8 interceptions despite really only having one full season as a starter. This is the right fit for him this upcoming season. Jackson is very much like junior draft entrant Rashaan Gaulden in that he plays bigger than his size, is a hard hitter, and is better in coverage than you'd expect. He should do a fair bit of growing with the new strength and conditioning coach and while working with the new safety coach.
• Placekicker
• Brent Cimaglia - 6-1, 193, SO
• Laszlo Toser - 5-8, 181, RJR
• Cimaglia is the kicker. He was part of the equation with placekicking last season. He has a big leg and hit on a long of 51 yards last season. He'll improve on his accuracy and provide a reliable option in the kicking game. Toser was a good high school kicker and seems to be the most likely backup at this point.
• Punter
• Paxton Brooks - 6-5, 170, FR
• Grayson Pontius - 6-2, 205, RJR
• Brooks is one of the top punters in this cycle, and he has a big leg and can get solid hangtime. He should get a jump on replacing Trevor Daniel as an early enrollee. Pontius has had a long and winding journey to Tennessee that included two stops at East Mississippi CC and a year at Marshall. He was a kicker primarily until last season, when he finally focused on punting. He averaged 40 yards per punt last year, which is solid, but compared to Brooks, who averaged 42.4 yards per punt and showcased his leg in the Under Armour All-American game with a 40.2 yard average and a long of 52 with one pinned inside the 20.
• Long Snapper
• Riley Lovingood - 6-0, 210, RJR
• Elijah Medford - 5-9, 204, RSR
• Lovingood and Medford have split the snapping duties for the last couple seasons, with Medford serving as the short snapper on field goals and PATs and Lovingood the long snapper on punts. That is likely to continue this season. Both are excellent in their respective roles.
• Holder
• Parker Henry - 6-1, 187, RSR
• If Henry goes down, your guess is as good as mine who replaces him. He's handled the duties for the past two seasons, and I don't know that there's a clear #2 in the role.

As I said before, this is all subject to change. It's just a bit of fun to bridge the gap until the dead period ends and recruiting picks back up. Once we get past NSD, I'll likely do this again right before spring practice. In the meantime, enjoy this and feel free to debate. GBO!

Potential Answers for the Recruiting Handwringers

The early excitement of the early signing period successes faded quickly, and the hemming and hawing over how the class would wrap up and how needs would be addressed were renewed. However, despite the dead period the staff never has let up in recruiting, maintaining new offers to go with increased electronic and written communications within the rules. With 8-11 potential spots remaining, let's go into who has signed, who has committed to us, and who is being targeted to round out the class.

• Quarterback 
• Signee JT Shrout, 6-3, 190, 3-star
• Shrout will wrap up the class at the quarterback position, joined presumably by preferred walk-on Bart Harris of Missouri, who checks in at 6-4, 210.
• Running Back
• Signee Jeremy Banks, 6-2, 215, 4-star
• Commit Anthony Grant, 5-11, 200, 3-star
• Targets C'Bo Flemister 6-0, 192, 3-star
• Banks is locked in, but as for who will be the second back in the class things are a bit more uncertain. Keeping Grant in the fold appears to be one of the top priorities of the new staff, and they certainly made their play during his official visit the weekend of the 19th. Virginia Tech is definitely still a player for Grant, and Florida State is making a push for him. Jashaun Corbin was once committed to the Vols and intends to take another look their way after the coaching changes around the country. He's a very productive all-purpose back and landing him would add a lot of versatility to the backfield.  Flemister is being pursued as an athlete with the potential to play running back or corner in Knoxville. He visited on the 12th and seemed to indicate that he was leaning toward the Vols, but a new offer from Notre Dame has clouded the issue some. He will decide close to National Signing Day between Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Notre Dame.
• Wide Receiver 
• Signee Alontae Taylor, 6-0, 184, 4-star
• Commit Jordan Young, 6-2, 185, 4-star
• Targets Jacob Copeland (6-0, 192, 4-star), Geordon Porter (6-2, 180, 3-star), Cedric Tillman (6-3, 205, 3-star)
• Alontae Taylor had an interesting recruitment, but in the end his second commitment to the Vols led to him signing. Jordan Young had an interesting recruitment in his own right, being unranked and unnoticed at the point at which Tennessee offered him. He visited, was offered, and jumped on board. He was then quickly ranked and 247Sports put him in their Top247 at #190 in the country after he had a huge senior season with 66 receptions for 1,562 yards and 17 touchdowns. After a visit to FSU, Young is looking a bit less likely to stick, but everyone will have to wait until signing day to know for sure. Taylor has been working to lure Copeland among others to Knoxville, but it looks like Copeland is pretty open at the moment. He has been to Knoxville, but at present doesn't have any known plans to make his way back before NSD. Florida is considered the leader for Copeland at this point. Geordon Porter was one of the new offers that they put out there, and after his visit on the 12th he named Tennessee as his leader. Things have since gotten a bit quieter in his recruitment as far as Tennessee is concerned. His most recent visit was to UCLA, and he plans to visit Texas A&M before deciding around NSD. Tillman, the son of a former NFL receiver with the Broncos and Jaguars, received a late offer as things with Young began to look shakier. The Vols shot to the top of his list. It's possible he could wait to decide after NSD.
• Tight End 
• Signees Dominick Wood-Anderson (6-5, 245, 4-star) and Jacob Warren (6-6, 211, 3-star)
• Target Glenn Beal, 6-5, 265, 3-star
• I was previously under the impression that we would wrap things up at two additions, but the door seems to be open to adding Beal, a larger, more college ready tight end than Warren following the graduation of primary tight ends Ethan Wolf and Jakob Warren. Dominick Wood-Anderson is very much a college ready tight end, even at the SEC level. Beal could also potentially play defensive end, and the option of moving current tight end Latrell Bumphus to defense may be on the table as well. Beal is currently believed to be leaning toward Texas A&M, but the in-demand tight end is checking out Alabama and Florida before deciding.
• Offensive Line 
• Signees Jerome Carvin (6-4, 330, 4-star), Jahmir Johnson (6-5, 290, 4-star), Tanner Antonutti (6-5, 260, 3-star), Ollie Lane (6-5, 285, 3-star)
• Their four surefire additions are all quality additions to the roster, but the depth is on the thinner side. No additions appear likely at this time.
• Defensive Line 
• Signees Greg Emerson (6-3, 280, 4-star), Brant Lawless (6-3, 285, 4-star), Kingston Harris (6-4, 272, 3-star)
• Commit D'Andre Litaker, 6-2, 302, 4-star
• Targets Nesta Silvera (6-2, 308, 4-star), Emmit Gooden (6-4, 295, 4-star), Jermayne Lole (6-3, 270, 3-star), John Mincey (6-4, 255, 3-star), Otito Ogbonnia (6-4, 290, 3-star), Kurott Garland (6-3, 250, unranked)
• Litaker seems increasingly unlikely to be a member of the program, barring a shift in momentum in the coming weeks. His ongoing knee injuries have complicated his position with the new staff. The staff is looking to add more bodies to the roster as they proceed to shift from a 4-3 base to a 3-4 base, although the nickel and dime packages will still likely be run from a four man front. Miami commit Nesta Silvera somewhat came out of nowhere to visit the Vols. He never commented on the visit and he seems unlikely to be a Vol. Gooden was a former Vol commit out of high school before grades led him to the JUCO ranks. Now he's back on the market and the Vols are currently feeling pretty good about their chances with him as long as the grades are good to go. Jermayne Lole was all set to commit on NSD until a late offer from the Vols muddied the waters. Now he may wait until after signing day in order to make a visit to Knoxville if the Vols still have room to fit him in the class. Arkansas decommitment Mincey made a visit and the Vols left quite the impression. Things currently appear close between South Carolina and Tennessee to land his signature. Ogbonnia made the trip to Knoxville and seems very interested in the Vols. How high he is on the Vols board is tougher to gauge. Kurott Garland was another late addition to the visitor list. Like Young, he's gone unranked. Like Young, his numbers and size would seem to suggest that he should be a much more noteworthy name in this recruiting cycle. I'm listing him as a defensive lineman right now mainly because I'm not sure how exactly the staff is viewing him. I wouldn't be surprised if Tennessee added two more defensive linemen to the class.
• Linebacker 
• Signee Jordan Allen, 6-5, 230, 4-star
• Commit JJ Peterson, 6-3, 231, 4-star
• Targets Quay Walker, 6-4, 236, 5-star
• It's hard to say right now how many linebackers they may take at this point, but two seems to be the minimum target number. Peterson has committed to the Vols and will make his first trip to campus the weekend of the 12th. Walker, originally scheduled to visit the Vols the final weekend before NSD, has moved his visit up and will now visit the weekend of the 12th. While programs like Auburn, Georgia, and Florida feel good about where they are with him, his move with his OV may be a good sign for the Vols. Tennessee continues to feel good about where they stand with the big time linebacker, but it's worth noting that Georgia is also optimistic.
• Defensive Back 
• Commit Brandon Davis, 5-11, 160, 3-star
• Targets Tyson Campbell (6-3, 180, 5-star), Olaijah Griffin (6-0, 170, 5-star), Isaac Taylor-Stuart (6-2, 187, 5-star), Taiyon Palmer (6-0, 178, 4-star), Trevon Flowers (6-1, 185, 3-star), Dyllan Lester (6-0, 190, 3-star)
• Tennessee lost all their secondary commitments along the way through the coaching change, either due to the recruits choosing to look around or having the choice made for them by the new staff, with four former commits having signed elsewhere, but don't think the Vols are in trouble here. Campbell was in no way, shape or form interested in the Vols prior to the new staff being in place. He doesn't seem likely to be a Vol, but he also hasn't done a lot of talking since his visit. Taylor-Stuart really sounded impressed by his visit, and the Vols are likely competing with USC for his signature. There is cautious optimism here. Olaijah Griffin has visited already and since decommitted from UCLA. Currently it looks like the Vols have lost ground here and Alabama and USC look like his two most likely destinations. Taiyon Palmer is a recently offered player with a lot of offers, including schools like Clemson, Arkansas, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech among others. He's made it on campus and seems genuinely interested, but most think NC State is the team to beat. Trevon Flowers was having some trouble getting onto campus, but all signs now are it is a Clemson and Tennessee race for his services, with many believing the Vols have the edge. Dyllan Lester, a teammate of 5-star corners Tyson Campbell and Patrick Surtain Jr., was a late offer by the Vols. The UCF commit is probably a backup plan, but it's clear that there is talent there to go with his size and he was mostly overshadowed by his taller and more heralded teammates. Brandon Davis is a teammate of tight end target Glenn Beal who got a late offer from Tennessee and quickly changed his plans to visit. The staff has compared him to former LSU and current Arizona Cardinal defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, aka the Honey Badger. Following his visit, he expressed that the Vols were his leader.
• Specialists
• Signee Paxton Brooks, 6-5, 170, 3-star
• Brooks seems likely to be the only specialist the Vols will sign this cycle, but they are set to add East Mississippi Community College punter Grayson Pontius, teammate of potential receiver target Mike Williams. 
• Athlete
• Targets Tre'Shaun Harrison, 6-2, 190, 4-star
• Harrison visited and left feeling good about the Vols, but it still seems pretty likely that he'll end up deciding between Oregon and Florida State. Never say never, but the previous Oregon commit seems likely to choose between the school he committed to and the coach he did. 

So, all things being equal, I think the Vols will certainly add players tomorrow, and there is a possibility of two of those additions being 5-star recruits. The Vols could close strong, but nothing is set in stone yet as it's likely some kids will still change their minds as the next few hours progress. Keep an eye on Twitter and the recruiting sites, and I'll be updating who has signed as the day goes on.