Tennessee Vols get an offseason win over Ohio State
The Tennessee Vols got a nice offseason win over the Ohio State Buckeyes this week. For much of the last year, Ohio State fans have held it over Vols fans that the Buckeyes landed coveted 2023 four-star wide receiver Carnell Tate. The Vols were very much in the mix for Tate, but the Buckeyes ultimately […]
The Tennessee Vols got a nice offseason win over the Ohio State Buckeyes this week.
For much of the last year, Ohio State fans have held it over Vols fans that the Buckeyes landed coveted 2023 four-star wide receiver Carnell Tate.
The Vols were very much in the mix for Tate, but the Buckeyes ultimately prevailed in the battle for the talented wide receiver.
Now it's time for Tennessee fans to fire back at Ohio State fans.
On3 has been revealing their final recruiting rankings this week. On Tuesday, they revealed their No. 50 to No. 20 players.
And Tate was ranked two spots below the Vols' top-rated 2023 wide receiver.
On3 has 2023 four-star wide receiver Nathan Leacock, a North Carolina native and a Vols commit, ranked at No. 45.
Tate, meanwhile, is ranked at No. 47.
Late-blooming receiver with a strong combination of size, length and straight-line speed. Owns ready-made size checking in at close to 6-foot-3 and around 195 pounds prior to his senior season. Has outstanding length for the position with arms that measure over 33 inches, along with a 9 ⅞ inch hand. Pairs the size with plus long speed, running a personal best of 10.88 seconds in the 100 meters as a junior. Played alongside blue-chip Wake Forest wide receiver signee Wesley Grimes as a junior and saw a considerable bump in targets with Grimes graduated. Uses his initial burst to drive off the line of scrimmage and create early separation within his routes. Flashes strong hands at the catch point. Contorts and spins to come down with acrobatic catches. Bodies smaller defensive backs in contested situations. Showing progress as a route runner. Has the speed and physicality to maximize yardage after the catch.
Tennessee absolutely nailed it with their evaluation of Leacock.
When the Vols were in the mix for Leacock early last summer, he was rated as a three-star recruit and the No. 74 wide receiver in the nation.
Less than a year later and he's a borderline five-star recruit. The Vols recognized his talent early and they trusted their evaluation of the Raleigh native.
The fact that Leacock is ranked above Tate isn't just a win for Tennessee fans over Ohio State fans, but it further shows that UT's coaching staff has what it takes to identify elite talent. Based on what we've seen from Tennessee in recruiting, I think this staff should get the benefit of the doubt when they take lower-rated players that other programs don't seem to be high on.
We say it a lot, but the future truly is bright for the Vols.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
