National recruiting analyst says Tennessee Vols have something 'special' in 2023 recruiting class
The Tennessee Vols kept the positive momentum rolling on Tuesday by securing a commitment from 2023 four-star safety Sylvester Smith. Smith is the Vols' ninth commit to their 2023 recruiting class. Tennessee has received a lot of attention this offseason thanks to the commitment of five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. But it's the defensive players in […]
The Tennessee Vols kept the positive momentum rolling on Tuesday by securing a commitment from 2023 four-star safety Sylvester Smith.
Smith is the Vols' ninth commit to their 2023 recruiting class.
Tennessee has received a lot of attention this offseason thanks to the commitment of five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. But it's the defensive players in Tennessee's 2023 class that could be really special according to Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney.
Four of the Vols' nine commits are on the defensive side of the ball.
Four-star edge rusher Caleb Herring, along with Smith, are the top two defensive commits so far for UT.
Landing Herring, a Tennessee native, was especially important. Herring is rated as the No. 1 player in the state of Tennessee, which made him a "must get" player for the Volunteers.
Smith is an Alabama native who is rated as the No. 11 safety in the nation.
If Tennessee is going to return to relevancy in the SEC East, they have to start routinely landing four-star and five-star talent.
For now, that's exactly what Josh Heupel and his staff are doing.
But this is just the start. The Vols need to continue adding elite talent to this class, then they need to turn around and do it again in 2024. That's the only way Tennessee is going to be able to compete with Alabama and Georgia.
The Vols are definitely on the right path now. And there's no doubt that something special is brewing. Tennessee just needs to stay the course and they will be a legitimate threat in the SEC sooner than many folks likely expected.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
