Why a 2023 3-star Tennessee Vols commit is an underrated player who will shine in Knoxville
The Tennessee Vols' 2023 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the top classes in the country. Commits like five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava and four-star edge rusher Caleb Herring are the headliners of Tennessee's 2023 class. There's a three-star player, however, that I think might be vastly underrated. Three-star defensive back Jack Luttrell, […]
The Tennessee Vols' 2023 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the top classes in the country.
Commits like five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava and four-star edge rusher Caleb Herring are the headliners of Tennessee's 2023 class.
There's a three-star player, however, that I think might be vastly underrated.
Three-star defensive back Jack Luttrell, 6-foot/172 lbs from Moultrie, GA, is one of the lowest-rated players in Tennessee's 2023 recruiting class.
But he should still end up being a key player for the Vols, thanks to an attitude/approach that can best be described as "determined".
Luttrell, who was the first player to commit to Tennessee's 2023 recruiting class, is a natural leader who isn't afraid to challenge himself.
The Georgia native recently spoke to VolQuest about his commitment to UT and there were a couple of things he said that stuck out.
For one, Luttrell described how he's keeping in touch with some of the Vols' other top recruiting targets.
"You just have to let a kid know that it’s bigger than football," said Luttrell. "Like (five-star edge rusher) Chandavian (Bradley), that’s my guy. I talk to him about how he plays basketball, how his day was, making sure he does all his homework."
The comment about homework is something that most folks likely glossed over, but I think it's telling. That's something that elite leaders do — checking in on teammates, making sure they're taking care of class work, etc.
Another thing that sticks out is Luttrell's intensity as a competitor.
Luttrell, who could also play on the offensive side of the ball, already has a spot in Tennessee's 2023 recruiting class. He could play it safe during his senior season and start thinking about life in Knoxville. But instead, Luttrell is challenging himself this fall by transferring to a bigger high school in Georgia, which means he'll be playing against stiffer competition.
"I just want to prove myself. That’s the biggest thing,” explained Luttrell. “I think a lot of people looked at me as a sophomore and junior, looked at who I played against and said I had no competition and that I wouldn’t do anything at the next level."
“So I went to the highest level in Georgia and I’m still the same me," added Luttrell.
That's the type of attitude that a player has to have to succeed in the SEC. This isn't a conference for casual competitors. We've seen players with elite skills fail to make an impact in the SEC because they didn't have the right level of intensity.
It doesn't sound like that will be the case with Luttrell at all. He may not be a highly rated recruit, but he's more than capable of becoming a key player for the Vols.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
