The Tennessee Volunteers already boast one of the top recruiting classes in the country, but they're far from done, making a strong push during the last few weeks of recruiting as we heads towards National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Here's all the latest news and rumors you need to know:
Top prospect to make official visit to Tennessee this weekend
Five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown (Buford, GA) has already taken official visits to his four other finalists, and this weekend, he will be taking his official visit to Tennessee and hopes to make a decision shortly thereafter, though he won't announce it until National Signing Day.
“I think I’ll have my decision made by this weekend or Monday,” said Brown, via 247sports. “It’s going to be great to make that final decision, because I’ve gone through this recruiting process, and it’s dealt with me. And now I’ve got to deal with it.”
While many expect him to stay close to home and sign with Georgia, Brown isn't shy about his affection for the Vols.
“I just love Tennessee, man,” Brown said. “I just love being up there in that environment itself. But when you just sit down and actually talk football, that’s good as well. The school’s been great to me. I’ve been able to go there and see a game, and I’ve been able to just hang around. Now I just kind of want to go see Knoxville.”
Brown is ranked as the No. 2 defensive tackle and No. 9 overall recruit in the country.
Four-star Miami commit to visit Tennessee, could flip to Vols
Four-star cornerback Tyler Byrd (Naples, FL) has been committed to Miami for nearly a year, but he is taking an official visit to Tennessee this weekend. He's a close friend of Tennessee running back Carlin Fils-aime, as the two have lived together since they were in eighth grade, and Byrd says he's giving the Vols major consideration because of it.
“It was kind of like, who was going to give in first?” Byrd said. “Was Carlin going to go to my school, or was I (going to Tennessee)? Everyone was like, ‘Who’s going to break?’ Of course, I would love to (attend the same school as Fils-aime). Being around him, we’ve grown to really love each other, and playing next to him and knowing he’s on my team is reassuring. It gives you a sense of security because … I know, at the end of the day, I can depend on him, and I know I can trust him.
“I definitely think there’s going to be some serious thinking (after the visit). Once I get a feel for the school and get around the players — every DB there is there — and ask them, ‘Oh, how is Coach Martinez? How is this team? What are you guys’ goals?’ and ask questions like that and see their perspective and where they want to go and what they’re trying to accomplish, that will help me make the decision. It will make the decision clearer, but not easier.”
Byrd is ranked as the No. 10 cornerback and No. 86 overall prospect in the country.
Other top prospects visiting Tennessee this weekend
Brown and Byrd aren't the only high-rated prospects who will be visiting the Vols this weekend. Four-star safety Nigel Warrior (Suwanee, GA), four-star offensive tackle Landon Dickerson (Hudson, NC), and three-star running back Zach Moss (Hallandale, FL) will also be on campus for official visits.
Moss is a Utah commit, while Tennessee is the favorite to land Warrior and is one of the four favorites to land Dickerson.
Back to the Tennessee Volunteers Newsfeed