UT Recruiting: Top 5 players the Tennessee Vols signed during early signing period
The early signing period got underway on Wednesday and it was a successful day for the Tennessee Vols. Not only did Tennessee not lose any of their players who were expected to sign, they even managed to add a few players who were uncommitted going into the day. For now, after signing 21 players on […]
The early signing period got underway on Wednesday and it was a successful day for the Tennessee Vols.
Not only did Tennessee not lose any of their players who were expected to sign, they even managed to add a few players who were uncommitted going into the day.
For now, after signing 21 players on Wednesday, the Vols have the No. 11 rated class in the nation (according to Rivals).
Of all the talented Vol signees who put pen to paper on Wednesday, here are the five that I think will have the biggest impact at Tennessee over the next several years.
5. Jalin Hyatt — WR — 4-Star
Hyatt isn't one of the top five rated players in Tennessee's 2020 recruiting class, but I absolutely think he's one of the most dynamic. The South Carolina native, who is rated as the No. 5 player in his home state, has the kind of elite speed (4.31 seconds in the 40 yard dash) that Tennessee desperately needs.
Hyatt, who is 6-foot-2, should be able to contribute immediately for the Vols in 2020, especially since UT will be losing lead wide receivers Marquez Callaway and Jauan Jennings after the 2019 season.
4. Tyler Baron — DE/LB — 4-Star
The best way for a team to combat a great quarterback is to have a great pass rush.
And that's why landing Tyler Baron, 6-foot-4/252 lbs from Knoxville, was so important for the Vols. Baron, who is rated as the No. 4 player in the state of Tennessee, is expected to play the important "jack" linebacker position in Jeremy Pruitt's defense. That's essentially where Deandre Johnson and Quavaris Crouch played last season for Tennessee (though Pruitt has said that his sam and jack linebackers are interchangeable).
3. Omari Thomas — DT — 4-Star
Having a great run stuffer is also extremely important — especially in the SEC.
And Thomas, 6-foot-5/300 lbs from Memphis, certainly fits the bill of a run stuffer.
Thomas is rated as the No. 3 player in the state of Tennessee. He signed with the Vols over offers from Auburn, Alabama, Clemson, LSU, and Oklahoma, among many others.
The Memphis native is extremely athletic for his size (UNC basketball coach Roy Williams told Thomas' high school coach he could pass better than many of his Tar Heels) and should give the Vols an immediate boost at a major position of need.
2. Keshawn Lawrence — S — 4-Star
Lawrence, 6-foot-1/197 lbs from Nashville, is rated as the top player in the state of Tennessee. That alone made him a huge priority for the Vols.
Aside from the fact that he's a highly rated player from Tennessee, it was also important for UT to land Lawrence because of who he is as a player. Lawrence has the size/speed/length combination that Pruitt covets in his defensive backs. He also has the ability to play at safety or cornerback.
With Pruitt and Derrick Ansley coaching him, Lawrence should be able to develop into one of the top defensive backs in the SEC during his time at Tennessee.
1. Harrison Bailey — QB — 4-Star
Bailey is the fourth highest rated commit in Tennessee's 2020 recruiting class (per 247Sports' composite rankings), but he's easily the most important.
There's nothing more important in football than having a great quarterback. Take a look at the teams in the College Football Playoff this season — they all have tremendous talent at the quarterback position.
Bailey, with his prototypical size (6-foot-4) and great arm, is a quarterback who is capable of leading a team to the college football playoff (he just led his high school team to a 7A state championship in ultra competitive Georgia). The Marietta, GA native is also a natural, selfless leader.
Essentially, Bailey has everything needed to be the face of a program. And that's exactly what Tennessee is hoping he can be for the next few years.
The Vols signed a lot of great players on Wednesday, but there's no doubt that Bailey is the cornerstone of the class.
Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
