Recruiting vital priority for the Vols
KNOXVILLE — After Saturday’s season-ending loss to Vanderbilt, Jeremy Pruitt had a simple message for anybody considering the Tennessee football program:
“I think if a young man wants an opportunity to play in the SEC really early, this is a really good place to start.”
That’s the challenge for Pruitt and his coaching staff, to get the type of players a Volunteers program coming off back-to-back seasons with no bowl will need to compete at a consistent level. Injuries and a lack of depth at certain positions became evident at points during the season, especially on the offensive line.
That appears to be a position the coaches have targeted as one they’ll need to improve. In 2017 the program was hurt by the injuries that decimated the line; this year it was the combination of injuries and the lack of size at the position in general, as the previous staff wanted smaller linemen for the spread offense, whereas Pruitt wants bigger bodies.
The Vols currently have the nation’s 12th-ranked recruiting class according to Rivals.com and the 15th-ranked according to 247Sports. They’re in position to finish strong, with some key potential pieces expected to visit before the early signing period starts three weeks from today (Dec. 19-21).
The Vols currently have four offensive linemen committed, including Wanya Morris, a 6-foot-6, 311-pounder who ranks as the No. 9 player in the country overall and the topranked offensive tackle. None of the linemen committed weigh less than 290 pounds, and the Vols are not done, appearing to be the favorites to land Darnell Taylor, the second-ranked tackle in the country behind Morris.
With the uncertainty about the status of sophomore Trey Smith, who missed the final four games after blood clots returned in his lungs, the need to improve on the line has been a point of emphasis for the staff — despite returning all five starters next season, as well as center Brandon Kennedy, who missed all but one game this season with an injury.
All 11 offensive starters are expected to return, but that doesn’t mean Pruitt is letting anybody get comfortable. The Vols are expected to explore all options in recruiting, including some potential graduate transfers. One position they likely will target is quarterback, where the Vols lose backup Keller Chryst. They have a commitment from three-star prospect Brian Maurer, but it’s possible they look to add some experience, with Alabama’s Jalen Hurts — who graduates in December and is expected
to explore options — and Clemson graduate transfer Kelly Bryant possibly in the pool.
What happens there could depend on what the Vols decide to do at offensive coordinator, as Tyson Helton was announced as Western Kentucky’s head coach Tuesday. Where Pruitt goes with this decision, as well as how much freedom that person is allowed with his preferred style, could determine the options the Vols have there.
“I thought in the season we improved how we practiced, but we had nowhere to go but up,” Pruitt said Saturday. “We made a lot of strides, but we still don’t have competition. Next year we’ll have competition at certain positions and we’re either going to play somebody or play nobody, basically.
“We have to recruit so we can improve our depth and get competition.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@ timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/ VolsUpdate.