Now, when I discuss the signees, I need to make a point: I draw comparisons between the signees and current or former college or NFL players. That is me stating the type of player these signees might develop into. I'm not saying they are at that level or will reach that level. There are too many factors to definitively say anything like that. It is just a projection of their potential if they were to max it out.
QUARTERBACKS
Harrison Bailey, 6-5, 211
Ranking: Rivals 5-star, ESPN/247Sports/Composite 4-star
NFL comparison: Nick Foles
Vol fans are seemingly determined to put Bailey on the hype version of an All-American list. While it's certainly true that Bailey had a great senior campaign, it takes a bit of a leap to ignore the fact that Tennessee is presently set to return three quarterbacks with starts under their belt and assume a true freshman is walking on campus as the starter. However, there are some very promising facts associated with Bailey. He is one of just five quarterbacks in Georgia high school history to pass for over 10,000 career yards. Among the other four are such names as Jake Fromm, Deshaun Watson, and Trevor Lawrence, so he's in good company. Had his performance against Eastern Catholic High from Washington in Las Vegas counted toward his season totals, he would have broken 12,000 yards as a high school quarterback. His senior campaign was easily his best, and he completed nearly 70% of his passes as he led Marietta High to their first state championship in 52 years. Bailey worked to drop some weight before his senior season as mobility within the pocket had been a criticism. He does appear to move better within the pocket, although he's by no means a mobile quarterback. Bailey has a strong arm and tends to place the ball well, but he's inclined to take chances with tight windows. His release is quick, but the way the ball can carry and hang in the air runs the risk of future interceptions as he jumps to the college game. The best news here is as an early enrollee he'll be able to get a leg up on making adjustments in his technique and refining his skill set.
Jimmy Holiday, 6-0, 190
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 3-star
NFL comparison: Denard Robinson
Holiday was a late addition, made on the first day of early signing, but the Vols had offered him months before and hosted him in October. Holiday was a long-time TCU commit as they were one of the first teams willing to give him a crack at quarterback, but as his senior season progressed and the Vols missed on other potential quarterback targets they returned to Holiday, who was improving his accuracy and displaying ridiculous running ability out of the backfield. Holiday is never going to be a lights out passer, but he is a dynamic playmaker capable of making plays with his arm and legs and given more passing opportunities he showed as a junior that he could have a fair bit of success as a passer, throwing for 1,518 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions in his 188 attempts, all of which were career highs. Where Holiday truly shined was on the run, where he lit up the scoreboards as a senior to the tune of 21 rushing touchdowns on his 1,401 rushing yards. For his high school career, Holiday had 3,507 passing yards with 37 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while running for 3,568 yards and 51 touchdowns in three seasons. Tennessee likely doesn't envision using Holiday as an every-down quarterback but rather see him as an offensive weapon, someone who can be lined up at quarterback, receiver, or even running back in order to utilize his unique skill set alongside a more prototypical quarterback, and Holiday has all the tools to be a nightmare for defenses in that capacity.
RUNNING BACKS
Tee Hodge, 6-1, 220
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 3-star
NFL comparison: Larry Johnson
When healthy, Tee Hodge has shown an ability to break tackles, break loose for big plays, and a nose for the end zone (a touchdown for every 8.7 carries). Unfortunately, staying healthy hasn't been easy for Hodge, going down early in Maryville's postseason run in 2018 and missing several games in 2019. From 2017-19, Hodge accumulated 2,534 yards and 45 touchdowns on 392 carries despite his injury troubles, averaging 6.5 yards per carry along the way. He's also shown some ability as a receiver, converting 17 receptions into 175 yards and a touchdown as a junior. He displays good balance and vision, making him both difficult to bring down and hard to get a clean hit on at the best of times. He can get impatient waiting on his blocks to develop, slowing him down and opening him up to lost yardage or very short gains. A lack of top-end speed will limit his big-play ability somewhat, so if you are expecting his "big plays" to be 40+ yard runs, they likely won't be often. However, he hit the hole decisively and can get 20 yards on you in a hurry, and defensive backs will struggle to take down the big, well-balanced back. Whether or not he has feature back potential is hard to say largely because the current trend in Knoxville is running back by committee, and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney isn't known for overworking his backs. More than likely, he will end up being a part of the running back rotation and a goal-line specialist in Knoxville, a role he appears well-suited to fill.
Jabari Small, 6-0, 195
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 3-star
NFL Comparison: Josh Jacobs
I can already hear some of you getting started off the NFL comparison, but hear me out before you get going. First, I almost went with Rex Burkhead here, but Burkhead is a poor comparison in categories like speed and athleticism, while Jacobs is a generally better comparison. There's also what I believe to be a very pertinent parallel between the two. Both were highly productive high school players who had recruitments that mostly saw them drawing regional interest rather than national attention. They are both backs with plenty of growth potential in their frames and are dynamic all-purpose backs who can turn any touch into a touchdown. In fact, that's what turned Josh Jacobs from a committee running back into a first-round pick: he maximized every opportunity given to him. It would be hard to argue that Small didn't do that very thing in high school, racking up 4,554 yards and 52 touchdowns on 459 touches. He averaged 8 yards per carry, 12.9 yards per reception, 21.8 yards per interception return, 23.9 yards per kickoff return, and 26.6 yards per punt return over that period. Unfortunately, that same versatility is one of the reasons the staff had Small announced as an athlete as he can help the team out as a running back, receiver, returner, or even as a corner. The guess here is that he ends up as a running back and occasional slot receiver as well as finding a home on special teams as a returner, but he could end up at corner if the staff is unable to make a signing there before the close of national signing day.
Len'Neth Whitehead, 6-2, 230
Ranking: ESPN/247Sports/Composite 4-star, Rivals 3-star
NFL Comparison: Arian Foster
The upside on defense for Whitehead is obvious. He is a tackler with stopping power and strong instincts. In fact, that is why most recruiting services have evaluated him as an inside linebacker. However, Whitehead has different ideas for his football future, and the Vols, still looking for bigger backs, were happy to accommodate him in this regard. So here we are, looking at Whitehead at the running back position. He lacks ideal speed at running back, but he has good balance and runs with power, making him a nightmare to try and take down on first contact. He runs with a long stride that can be deceptive when would-be tacklers try taking an angle on him. The same ability to lay the wood that he shows on defense comes into play when running through tacklers, showing an ability to take on contact and power through it, knocking defenders on their heels. A patient runner, he allows his blocks to develop and then bursts through the hole, showing strong explosiveness, but that explosiveness through the hole doesn't really translate into overall speed. A quicker rather than fast runner, he's difficult to make plays on behind the line because he can burst to the line of scrimmage so quickly. He'll never wow on the stopwatch, but when it comes to producing on gameday he gets the job done.
Camryn Beckwith, 5-9, 188
Ranking: N/A
PWO
He's not the biggest. He's not the fastest. He's not the brother who gets the headlines. He's also more than bait to land Dee. Beckwith is a guy who plays bigger than his size. Fearless, he's willing to take on tacklers and can break through arm tackles. He has enough quickness and speed to make players miss and hurt opponents in the open field. Need him to carry the ball? No problem. Catch it? He's down. Return it? Check. Make a block? Done. He's the kind of player willing to do the dirty work and do it with heart and high effort. This is the kind of kid you're hoping for when you offer walk-ons. You want a kid with heart, effort, and intelligence, and Beckwith checks off all these areas. He may never be more than a scout team player, but he's going to go out every single practice and make his teammates better.
Antonio Malone, 5-10, 211
Ranking: N/A
PWO
Balance. It's the first thing that jumps out at you watching his film. He simply doesn't get knocked off balance. He keeps his legs under him and churning, which prevents opponents from getting any easy tackles. When it comes to breaking tackles, Malone has the same mindset as fellow Blackman alum Jauan Jennings: you might get me down, but it's gonna take everyone on the defense and I'm going to make it hurt to do. Malone doesn't wow you with his speed. He won't blow anyone away with his size. He doesn't make impossible changes in direction. He just runs downhill and through anyone in his way. It's rare to see a single tackler bring him to the ground, and he keeps the legs churning after contact. Malone has a stocky build made to add weight, and the idea that he could get up to 240 without carrying it badly isn't a stretch. If Tennessee wanted a fullback in the class, Malone appears to have the frame and toughness to be that guy. This staff would love to have a true fullback to utilize, and Malone, if he goes that route, may have the best chance among the walk-ons of seeing the field.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Damarcus "Dee" Beckwith, 6-5, 215
Ranking: ESPN/247Sports 4-star, Rivals/Composite 3-star
NFL Comparison: Brandon Marshall
Rankings are subjective, but let me just subjectively say that anyone who thinks Beckwith isn't a 4-star is objectively out of their minds. Dee is a capable passer, an elite receiver on the jump ball, and a bruising runner out of the backfield, or at least he was in high school. He is built to physically dominate opponents, has deceptive speed with his long-legged stride, and his track and basketball athleticism translates perfectly to the receiver position. Feel like getting a little tricky? Well, he has the arm to throw it 50 yards downfield with relatively decent accuracy. He's a monster to bring down and his frame has plenty of room for growth. He could ultimately develop into a tight end like former Vol and current Buffalo Bill Jason Croom, but my instinct is that he remains at wide receiver as I don't think the added weight will steal that much speed from him, not that speed was his game to begin with. Beckwith has that dog mentality that could easily make him a fan favorite before his time in Knoxville is over.
Jimmy Calloway, 6-0, 207
Ranking: Rivals/247Sports/Composite 4-star, ESPN 3-star
NFL Comparison: Anquan Boldin
To say that Calloway is dynamic is a bit of an understatement. He returns kickoffs for touchdowns, returns punts, plays wide receiver, played quarterback, and just for good measure was a solid safety to boot. He has good size and great athleticism, having been timed at a 4.42-forty. However, some got uneasy when he ran a 4.7 at The Opening regionals, but anyone watching him play knows he doesn't play at that speed at all. The 4.4-speed is on display on his film, and he's shifty as well making it difficult to get a clean hit on him. If you don't form tackle him, he can make you look silly, breaking arm tackles and pulling away in the open field. He shows the ability to stop on a dime and change direction, a skill set that should make him nightmarish as a route runner. An elite athlete, he hurdles players like an aspiring Olympian practicing for the 60 meters hurdle. The biggest transition for him will be settling into receiver and learning to run those crisp routes his skill set makes him capable of since he hasn't been able to play as a full-time wide receiver since his sophomore season. His best path to early playing time may be as a returner, but if he picks up on route running quickly, don't count him out on offense either.
Jalin Hyatt, 6-0, 164
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 4-star
NFL Comparison: Will Fuller
4.31-electronically timed 40-yard dash. That's where you really start when talking about Hyatt, who has the kind of speed that coaches dream about being able to work with. Then you quickly pivot to the production because what is speed without the ability to translate it to the football field. Sometimes you get a long-strider who makes it look effortless like Randy Moss, but then you get a guy like Hyatt who mixes a long-stride with the ability to churn those legs at a gear that is unnatural off of the Olympic track. The second is what you get with Hyatt. An effective but still developing route runner, Hyatt can get separation from defenders, but press coverage is a potential issue for him if he can't shake the defender before they get their hands on him. However, with his speed and quick-twitch reactions, he will absolutely destroy you if you press and he gets loose. There is no recovering if he blows by you. It took a while for Hyatt's recruiting rankings to reflect his skills and production because he is skinny and will struggle to ever carry much more than 180-185 pounds. However, you can't hit what you can't catch, and catching Hyatt takes a very special athlete. He has a second gear and simply blows by defenders who take even good angles.
Malachi Wideman, 6-4, 195
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 4-star
NFL Comparison: Plaxico Burress
What. An. Athlete. This young man can jump out of the building and his acrobatic dunks have become somewhat legendary on the internet, in part due to his ability to elicit a reaction from LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. A 4-star recruit in both basketball and football, he fully intends to play both for the Vols as well. In fact, Beckwith may well do the same, just for a sample of the type of athletes the Vols secured this cycle (Hyatt is considering being a two-sport athlete as well). Wideman stayed double-covered most of his senior season, and yet all he did was beat that coverage all year. for anyone trying to get a feel for how talented Wideman is, he torched IMG Academy for 9 receptions, 128 yards, and Venice High's only touchdown of the game as he proved to simply be unstoppable for the collegiate feeder program. In fact, if you remove the damage done by Wideman, Venice only accounted for 120 yards on 46 plays and turned it over three times. Wideman was far from bad his first couple of years of football, accounting for 35 receptions, 545 yards, and 15 touchdowns, but at that point in his high school career, it was plain that he saw his future in basketball. As a senior, the switch flipped for him and he went off for 65 receptions for 1,064 yards and 13 touchdowns. The biggest question with Wideman isn't whether or not he could have a future in the NFL but rather whether or not he sticks with football or basketball if the time comes when he has to decide between the two. An elite leaper with above-average speed and decent route running, he can become a nightmare for opposing defenders.
Miles Jones Jr., 5-9, 170
Former School: Nebraska
Walk-on Transfer
Anytime you can add a 3-star walk-on in any sport, you do it. Tennessee has become excellent at doing just that, and they've struck gold again in Jones. In two years for American Heritage High, Jones accounted for 3,145 all-purpose yards on his way to earning a high 3-star/low 4-star ranking. A quality runner, receiver, and returner, Jones has a combined 23 touchdowns in two seasons, including 17 rushing, 3 receiving, and 3 returning as primarily an all-purpose back. He opted to head to Nebraska, and he was getting some early playing time before an injury derailed his freshman season and led him to redshirt. Unfortunately, by the time he returned to action, Nebraska had moved on from Jones and he wasn't able to find a regular place in the rotation again. Now Tennessee has a year to integrate this gifted athlete into the locker room and determine how best to use him after he sits out a year. The best news is that he will be a valuable scout team addition while he waits on eligibility.
Velus Jones Jr., 6-0, 190
Former School: Southern Cal
Transfer
Vol fans, if this one works out like I think it can remember to send thank you notes to Tee Martin. Jones never gained much traction at USC as a wide receiver, but he was their primary kickoff returner the last three seasons, averaging 24.0 yards per return and scoring a touchdown on a return last season. However, his best season on offense came as a junior under Martin as offensive coordinator when he caught 24 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown and ran for another touchdown on his six carries. If that and his special teams abilities was all that he brought to the Vols as a grad transfer, that would be more than enough to justify his addition, but Jones has a secret weapon: he's built like a running back. Although he's not going to play running back in Knoxville, he has the ability and willingness to make plays over the middle that other receiver tend to shy away from. His yard per catch average will never wow because he's not blazing fast, but his agility and toughness will enable him to carve out a role on the roster that could very easily see his last season be his best season.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Cooper Mays, 6-3, 283
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 4-star
NFL Comparison: Austin Blythe
He's not the most athletically impressive. He's not the biggest. He's not the strongest. He'll never be first off the bus. However, he's got no fear at all and will take on bigger defensive linemen with the tenacity of a pitbull. In fact, he may well be the heir apparent to the "Dog" moniker with Mays being the epitome of it's not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. Mays is a fearless and aggressive blocker who outfights bigger opponents with leverage and tenacity. Mays explodes at the snap and finishes his blocks. He shows a nice initial punch, although he can get his arms outside of the shoulder pads, although he does a good job of not getting a handful of jersey most of the time. Mays is probably never going to be called fast, but quick is certainly a descriptor that should be used with him. He is good at getting to the second level and usually does a good job of engaging and maintaining blocks, although he slips into a defensive mindset at times and essentially shoulder tackles the defender. Speaking of, he was a solid defensive lineman as well in high school, but his limitations with athleticism and size make offensive line a stronger prospect for him. He'll have to mentally adjust to not being able to bully guys out of the way, but based on his camp performances it appears to be an adjustment he can make quickly.
James Robinson, 6-4, 343
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 3-star
NFL Comparison: Ramon Foster
Robinson is a big, strong, mauling offensive lineman. Although he likely lacks the athleticism or length for tackle, he may have the strength to prove a passable option at right tackle in a pinch. Robinson will probably never draw the headlines that others have of late with the Vols, but he will be a consistent bruiser who clears holes and holds up well in pass protection. He does a good job of engaging and controlling his defender, preventing them from having any chance to recover and try to make a play. He moves well for a player his size, even though he will probably never impress in a sprint. Robinson carries his weight well and may not need to trim a lot of weight to be capable of entering the rotation.
Javontez Spraggins, 6-3, 352
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 3-star
NFL Comparison: Gabe Jackson
Spraggins is massive but moves well for his size. He packs a punch at the point of contact. He maintains a good base and pad level, winning the leverage game consistently. He uses his hands well and keeps his feet driving to clear out the defender. He should start out at guard for the Vols, but he's also capable of playing center. He generally gets pancakes through driving his man to the ground rather than trying to blow the defender up. He's probably a better athlete than Robinson, and he may well have better technique too, although Spraggins doesn't have the same impact with his initial punch and is likely to need to do work in the weight room. Additionally, Spraggins doesn't carry his weight as well and will need to trim 15-20 pounds before he's likely to make a major impact for the Vols.
Cade Mays: 6-6, 318
Former School: Georgia
Transfer
Never has the fan base been quite so divided as they were with the news that Cade Mays was transferring to Tennessee. Hurt feelings bubbled back up over an infamous video posted by Mays before he enrolled at Georgia, but ultimately no salve cures ills quite like good play. Mays can certainly provide that in Knoxville after playing in 25 games with 18 starts for Georgia in his two seasons as a Bulldog. Mays showed himself to be a versatile asset for Georgia, seeing playing time at all five positions on the offensive line and won awards as an offensive newcomer and most versatile in his two seasons. His father Kevin was an All-SEC guard for Tennessee and younger brother Cooper was mentioned above, so his pedigree is unquestioned. Mays has hired a lawyer to assist with his appeal with the NCAA for immediate eligibility with the Vols, and hopes are high that he will get it. If he does, there is a strong chance that he will find himself starting at right guard for the Vols alongside two freshman All-SEC performers at tackle, an All-SEC guard, and a sixth-year center, giving the Vols a great mix of talent and experience.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Dominic Bailey, 6-3, 293
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 4-star
NFL Comparison: Jarran Reed
Bailey is another guy who won't impress in the 40-yard dash, but he at times looks almost unblockable, displaying a great ability to use his hands to shed blockers as well as high-end strength and explosiveness off the snap. He has a nice initial punch, but what he lacks right now is a collection of moves to shed blockers. At this point, he uses his punch, quick hands, and strength to body blockers out of his way. In the SEC, that's not going to have a high degree of success, so first and foremost the coaches will need to work with Bailey on technique. A good recent example of this type of player in recent Vol history would be Owen Williams. You can have success without the technique, but having that complete skill set is the difference between Williams and a player like Jesse Mahelona. The good news for Bailey is that he has five years to play four and will have a leg up on both players I mentioned when it comes to being able to take time and develop. Bailey, at least early in his career, is likely to play end, but as he builds onto his frame it isn't far-fetched to think he could develop into an explosive and disruptive nose guard.
RJ Perry, 6-6, 299
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 3-star
NFL Comparison: RJ McIntosh
In an era of football in which defensive tackles are often getting smaller and more athletic, Perry is a bit of an oddity. Perry is defensive end long, but he's not particularly fleet of foot. He carries his weight incredibly well and, if the staff were to move him to offensive tackle or develop him as a nose guard, he could comfortably carry 320+ pounds without it having a particularly significant impact on his athleticism. He's a sure tackler and tenacious, never giving up on a play. Perry lined up at defensive end, defensive tackle, offensive tackle, and even tight end at various times in high school, so he's versatile enough that finding him a home shouldn't be a problem, but first and foremost the staff needs to decide how they intend to use him and develop him. Fortunately, with no defensive linemen being lost to graduation this offseason, redshirting and developing Perry is a luxury the Vols have. Don't rule out him finding his home on the offensive line, but he's going to get his first look on defense.
Omari Thomas, 6-4, 306
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 4-star
NFL Comparison: Fletcher Cox
The good news is there's no reason he can't play 3-4 defensive end. The bad news is he's going to have to learn how to be a top-end defensive lineman after being very much a two-way player in high school who never really had the chance to focus on honing his craft at either offensive or defensive line. Like Perry, it wouldn't blow anyone's mind if he found a home on the offensive line, but with his explosiveness, speed, and pass rush moves, it's hard to imagine he'd completely miss on defense enough to make that move. It's far from a stretch to say he was often the biggest and best athlete on the field in high school, and he's probably in for a bit of a shock trying to make the transition to the SEC. It also might not kill him to shed some bad weight upon arriving on campus. Again, I don't think he's going to win many sprint competitions, but if Tennessee's linemen were to line up and run against each other, I'd probably put my money down on Thomas. He's certainly quick enough to put an offensive tackle on their heels and he never gives up on a play. He could be part of the solution to getting more out of the defensive line on the pass rush, along with Bailey.
Deven Jones, 6-4, 289
Ranking: NA
PWO
A local product, Jones has SEC size and quickness, and he explodes off the line at the snap. He was bigger and stronger than most offensive linemen he saw in high school, and his effort was there on virtually every down. However, some bad habits did and will continue to hold him back until they can be corrected. He doesn't punch well at the point of attack, and even then he barely uses his hands other than to try and throw the blocker aside. He doesn't engage and extend his arms, allowing the blocker to get into his body and limit his ability to break free. While this wasn't too much of a hindrance in high school, in college it would prove to be a consistent issue. His pad level is inconsistent, and being a taller lineman that can give up leverage to smaller blockers that he would be likely to encounter as an interior lineman. The good news is none of the issues are impossible to correct, and he already shows good drive with his legs and the strength to push blockers back even if they do remain engaged. It's not fair to expect Jones to make an impact on the field for the Vols, but he can be a nightmare for the starters on scout team and if he can develop both physically and in his technique, there's no reason he couldn't potentially exceed expectations.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Tyler Baron, 6-5, 256
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 4-star
NFL Comparison: Preston Smith
Baron will be making the transition from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker in college, but it's a transition he should be able to make nicely. He's not going to blow anyone away in combine events, but he's a smart player who is willing to wait until his opportunity comes to attack and then explodes into the tackle. He has a nice compliment of moves he utilizes to beat the offensive lineman, but in high school, he also displayed a capacity to simply bull rush the tackle and blow up the play that way. He has good awareness that keeps him from getting easily sucked in on play-action and allowing him to rapidly recognize whether or not the hand-off actually happened without overpursuing. He has the athleticism to pursue the ballcarrier down the field if they get behind the defense and he doesn't give up on the play. He likely needs to improve his agility, but that won't prevent him from playing downhill as a situation pass rusher as a freshman while he learns the finer details of outside linebacker.
Morven Joseph, 6-2, 220
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/Composite 4-star, 247Sports 3-star
NFL Comparison: Vic Beasley
Joseph has one major advantage over Baron coming in: he's already gotten comfortable in high school playing out of a two-point stance. Joseph is quick, but don't mistake his speed for his only weapon as a pass rusher. He's plenty capable of using his freakishly athletic frame to bully blockers, especially running backs. He's a bit on the light side right now, but his nice complement of pass rush moves enable him to beat blockers despite giving up significant weight to them most of the time. Joseph is well-built and already strong for his age, and transitioning to the college game shouldn't be too much of a challenge in that sense. He will need to build on that frame, but he could easily be a force around 240. He can hit a hole in the line quickly enough that the blockers can't recover, disrupting the play before it has a chance to develop, but he has to anticipate the snap to be able to pull that off as his speed has its limitations. He was typically pointed in the direction of the quarterback and told to go destroy anyone with the football, but he has been dropped back in coverage in the past. I wouldn't say he has coverage abilities so much as an ability to separate a receiver from the football by force. He does a good job of tracking the football, and Joseph is also comfortable with his hand in the dirt, meaning he, as well as Baron, are options to remain on the field in nickel looks.
Sayeed Shah, 6-3, 223
Ranking: 247Sports 3-star
PWO
Again, landing a ranked walk-on is often a big deal, especially one who had an offer from an FBS program, but that's what the Vols are adding in Shah, a 247Sports 3-star who held an offer from Southern Miss. Shah had 85 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks across his junior and senior seasons despite playing as an undersized defensive end with natural inclinations to play like an outside linebacker. Shah shows nice quickness and good use of his hands, although his pass rush moves are a bit limited at this point. He has enough speed to recover despite having a bad habit of overpursuing plays. He doesn't show natural comfort when getting out of his stance, and I suspect he would show a lot more comfort out of a two-point stance. He doesn't give up on plays, shows solid recognition on the play, and closes well once he has a bead on the ballcarrier. He needs to do a better job of wrapping up on the tackle and not slipping into bad habits like diving for the legs, but he would benefit a lot from being in position more consistently, so fixing the overpursuit issue would aid with this. Shah is likely to be a project, but he is the type of walk-on that could find his way into the rotation down the line.
Eunique Valentine
Ranking: Rivals 2-star
PWO
I'm either missing something or this is a young man who was wildly underrated by the services. Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that he didn't really explode until his senior season, although the same could be said for his teammate Tyler Baron. In two seasons, Valentine had 144 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and an interception. While it's true he benefitted from playing with Baron, Baron also benefitted from Valentine's presence. He played outside linebacker and defensive end last year, switching back and forth between his hand in the dirt and a two-point stance. He has decent leverage, good use of hands, and enough strength to bullrush. He can find the ballcarrier in traffic and has good explosion off the snap. He plays sideline-to-sideline, but he lacks elite athleticism. The former Navy commit is an FBS talent and has some capacity in coverage. He doesn't overpursue, staying home and forcing the defense to play honestly, cutting off the pitch man on option plays. A solid tackler, he doesn't slip into arm tackling often. This is a young man who could play for Tennessee before his time in Knoxville is done.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Bryson Eason, 6-2, 270
Ranking: Rivals/247Sports/Composite 4-star, ESPN 3-star
NFL Comparison: Rey Maualuga
Big. Strong. Athletic. All are good words to describe Eason, who more than looks the part of an inside linebacker and shows off the ability to play sideline to sideline. Eason has the chops to play in coverage or attack downhill. A sure tackler, once Eason gets ahold of the ballcarrier, they are pretty much done moving forward as he hits like a Mack truck. He keeps track of the football well and is strong enough to simply pluck it from a smaller running back even with good ball security. He doesn't give up on a play, and although he may not look like it he has recovery speed. He has good coverage skills and can pull down an interception when the opportunity presents itself. He runs like a linebacker despite having the frame of a defensive end. He form tackles rather than trying to arm tackle or launch at the other player, making him tough to escape when he has a bead on you. Despite being an absolute wrecking ball, he would benefit from trimming off a few pounds and replacing that with further muscle, so he's not a finished product by any means. He has a well-developed lower body but his upper body needs to catch up. He is capable of playing early, perhaps even starting, especially if he makes the most of the summer strength and conditioning program.
Martavius French, 6-2, 227
Ranking: Rivals/Composite 4-star, ESPN/247Sports 3-star
NFL Comparison: Alexander Johnson
French isn't currently the most athletic linebacker, but he plays downhill and makes the ballcarrier pay with his crushing hits. He's more inclined to forget to form tackle and shoulder tackle, but he hits like ton of bricks and more often than not high school running backs simply couldn't withstand the impact. He's strong and has room to grow still, and he shows good instincts on the football field. He can train to improve his speed up to a point, but he's probably never going to be a comfortable sideline to sideline defender from the inside linebacker spot in college. In fact, it's reasonable that he could ultimately develop into an outside linebacker. He has a frame capable of holding another 20 pounds comfortably. French shows patience when he's not blitzing, waiting on blocks to develop before making his way through the traffic to attack the ballcarrier. He can explode in short bursts to complete a play that might otherwise get away from him. French can drop back into coverage, but it isn't something that appears to come naturally to him, and in college, I'd be concerned about having him cover anyone faster than a tight end in most cases.
Tamarion McDonald, 6-2, 199
Ranking: Rivals 4-star, ESPN/247Sports/Composite 3-star
NFL Comparison: Deone Bucannon
This is definitely a guy who can drop back into coverage, so the initial announcement that McDonald would start off at safety made perfect sense. He's an aggressive tackler and quick player able to attack behind the line of scrimmage. He's a bit similar to walk-on Kwauze Garland last year, who played outside linebacker in high school, but Garland's frame doesn't have the same growth potential that McDonald's does. Even as a safety, he could be a nickel linebacker, a player who utilizes additional size and strength to attack from the nickel position while still being a safety-like asset in coverage. In fact, Pruitt coached a similar talent at Alabama in Mark Barron, a high school safety who grew into a college 'tweener befor developing into an NFL linebacker. The guess on my end is that McDonald outgrows safety quicker than Barron did and emerges as a nickel linebacker who creates a more hybridized nickel package that is simultaneously able to function as a nickel defense and a 4-3 package. McDonald is a sure tackler when he doesn't abandon technique and slip into shoulder tackling. His length is an asset in coverage, but he also shows a second gear to close the gap once the ball is in the air. He shows an ability to beat blocks and make plays in the backfield. He has sideline to sideline ability, which should translate into safety if he does ultimately land there.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Keshawn Lawrence, 6-2, 202
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 4-star
NFL Comparison: Charles Woodson
Yeah, it's lofty. It's also warranted. Woodson made a name for himself by making spectacular plays in all aspects of the game, and that is something Lawrence is absolutely able to do, showing himself to be a dynamic returner, defender, and even receiver. At receiver, he shows a nose for making his way through heavy traffic to the open field and the ability to high-point the football. These same skills serve him well as a returner, weaving his way through the coverage unit to freedom. He can play both corner and safety, and he's a sure tackler with good read and recognition skills that serve him both in attacking the ball carrier and in coverage. He spent a lot of time in run support in high school, likely a function of the opponents faced, but when the ball is thrown his way it generally proved to be bad news for the quarterback. There's a fairly decent shot he'll start off his career at corner as the Vols are still looking for help there and arguably don't have a ton of ideal options left to pursue at that position. He's a stronger punt returner than a kickoff returner, and it's realistic that he could be a top candidate to replace Marquez Callaway in that capacity.
Doneiko Slaughter, 6-0, 185
Ranking: Rivals 4-star, ESPN/247Sports/Composite 3-star
NFL Comparison: Rodney McLeod
Slaughter is a guy who may surprise early in his career and earn early playing time. That is in part due to the fact that the staff is planning to ask him to play a very similar position to the one he played in high school as a versatile defender in the Star position. Slaughter played safety and outside linebacker in high school, and his statistics reflect that versatility, finishing his high school career with 121 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 6 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and a blocked field goal. As a senior, all three of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns. He's an instinctive player who tackles like he's determined to break the ballcarrier in half. He's tenacious and won't give up on pursuing a play, and he shows an ability at times to make plays from behind. He is a ball-seeking missile, destroying on contact much of the time. At least for the role he's expected to fill, he's one of the better-prepared players coming in, although he could stand to add a few pounds once he arrives on campus.
William Wright, 6-0, 180
Ranking: N/A
PWO
The first thing that jumps out about Wright is that his listed height is generous unless he played with giants. He's probably not 6-0 in high heels, but he plays bigger than his actual size. He has a good ability to read the play, and he seldom gets out of position in coverage. He doesn't sell out for interceptions, although as a player who also played a lot of wide receiver in high school he has the hands to come up with picks. He reacts quickly, but even on the rare occasion that he gets beat, he shows plenty of recovery speed. A solid tackler with good form and he is high effort on every play. Again, I suspect his reported forty time is generous, but I doubt very seriously that it's that generous based on the way he torched players as a receiver and made his way around the field. I'm not sure he's a guy you'll see playing more than garbage time on defense, but he might easily find a niche on special teams.
SPECIALIST
Will Albright, 6-1, 213
Ranking: ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Composite 2-star
NFL Comparison: Jeremy Cain
One of the nation's best long snappers, Albright is also an excellent athlete. He played linebacker and wide receiver in high school, and he is a guy who can get downfield in a hurry after the snap. He's an aggressive tackler and has strong instincts. He has good size as a starting point, and he should be able to hold around 235-240 pounds well without hurting his ability to get down the field to make plays. He does a good job of snapping accurately, getting out of his stance downfield, and beat blocks to be in position to make a play. He also snaps accurately on field goals. With Riley Lovingood graduating, there is an opportunity to win the job available to Albright, although rising redshirt senior Jake Yelich could have something to say about that assuming he returns.
Grant Reid, 6-1, 225
Ranking: 4.5 stars from Rubio Long Snapping Camp
PWO
Reid is probably right now a bit of a borderline Power 5 guy, but this is a good walk-on offer. Tennessee is going to be searching for a new long snapper in 2020. Reid is well-built, looking like a linebacker. His snaps can get a bit wobbly on him at times, which is something that will need cleaning up in order to prevent errant snaps or slow punts, but they arrive where they need to with reasonable consistency. His snaps get to the punter effortlessly, but they don't tend to get overly high. He gets down the field well in coverage, likely by virtue of his playing tight end for Baylor School, but he's not the athlete Albright is by any means. His senior film shows him snapping in rainy conditions, and he doesn't let the wetness effect his snaps. Smooth transition to field goals and the shorter distance seems to help negate some of the wobbling. When talking about long snappers, sometimes a team can use more than one, which we've seen in the past with the Vols, and Reid's crisp field goal snapping could certainly give him a chance at that job. For the punting job, I think he still has further to go, both with his snaps and with his coverage.
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