The Tennessee Volunteers just put the finishing touches on a solid Top 25 overall recruiting class. But the Vols, head coach Butch Jones and his staff have already turned their attention to the 2017 class.
While the Vols might not end up with the #1 player in the nation in 2017, they'll targeting several high-profile recruits this year with the hope of landing them. A big tip of the hat to 247Sports, as their rankings were used to detail the recruits' overall and position rankings. The players are listed in descending order of their overall rank. With that in mind, here are the top seven prospects Tennessee is targeting in the 2017 recruiting class.
7. 4-Star CB Stanford Samuels (Hollywood, FL)
Ranked as the #34 overall player and #4 cornerback in the Class of 2017, Samuels is one of two shutdown corners on this list. He's got tremendous length at 6-foot-2, and he'll be a physical press coverage star once he bulks up a bit. More on Butch Jones' 2017 recruiting efforts inside the Chat Sports iPhone and Android apps!
6. 4-Star APB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Hyattsville, MD)
McFarland is the #2 all-purpose back in the nation, and he's already fielded 26 offers from a host of top programs. Georgia's in the early lead for the dynamic catcher/rusher, but the Vols have plenty of time to gain ground.
5. 5-Star OT Wyatt Davis (Bellflower, TX)
Here's the best-case scenario when it comes to Butch Jones' search for an impact offensive tackle. Davis clocks in as the #6 offensive tackle in the nation, and he's already picked up 19 offers with plenty more to come. Alabama's got the early lead, but Davis is going to put the full-court press on soon enough.
4. 5-Star WR Trevon Grimes (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Grimes is the #2 wide receiver in the class and a borderline top-ten talent overall. That's what happens when you're one of the best big-play receivers in all of prep football. Expect Grimes to climb even further up the prospect chart before long. More Vols recruiting info inside the Chat Sports Android and iPhone apps!
3. 5-Star CB Deangelo Gibbs (Loganville, GA)
The second cornerback on this list and the one that's going to get the lion's share of the Vols staff's attention, Gibbs is the #2 corner in the class and the #9 overall prospect. He's the complete package -- long, explosive, smart and athletic.
2. 5-Star S Jeffrey Okudah (Grand Prairie, TX)
If the Vols can somehow land the aforementioned Gibbs AND Okudah, their secondary will be set until the end of the decade. Okudah clocks in as the #8 overall prospect and #1 safety in the class. He's versatile enough to be shifted around and dynamic enough to make multiple big plays a game.
1. 5-Star DT Marvin Wilson (Bellaire, TX)
Wilson doesn't have the hype of a Rashan Gary, but he is the heir apparent to the #1 defensive tackle in the nation slot. Ranked #5 overall in the country, Wilson uses every bit of his 6'4", 316-pound frame to gain leverage and open up pass rush lanes for interior and exterior threats alike.