Tennessee Vols among top schools for elite 2024 5-star recruit
The Tennessee Vols are among the top schools for an elite 2024 five-star offensive tackle from the west coast. Brandon Baker, 6-foot-5/285 lbs from Santa Ana, CA (Mater Dei), included Tennessee among his top 10 schools on Thursday. Baker also included Georgia, Miami, Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, Nebraska, and Washington in his […]
The Tennessee Vols are among the top schools for an elite 2024 five-star offensive tackle from the west coast.
Brandon Baker, 6-foot-5/285 lbs from Santa Ana, CA (Mater Dei), included Tennessee among his top 10 schools on Thursday.
Baker also included Georgia, Miami, Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, Nebraska, and Washington in his top 10.
Baker, who plays at the same high school where current Vols wide receiver Bru McCoy also played, is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 2 player in the state of California. He's also rated as the No. 26 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class.
Scouting report via 247Sports: Athletically-built offensive lineman who can live long term on the outside. Owns adequate height with above average length and frame space to continue adding mass. Plays mad and it shows in the run game. Excellent drive blocker who looks to finish blocks to the ground. Displays impressive lateral quickness and range when required to pull or reach targets at the second level. Plays with consistent leg drive, especially once engaged. Play strength is good and combines with size to often overwhelm smaller, overmatched defenders. Pass-pro reps are promisingly natural and effective. Quite light-footed and body-controlled in pass pro. Hand placement also shows encouraging consistency in pass reps. Faces excellent competition in practice and often in games, though high-profile program results in lack of preferred multi-sport profile and two-way experience. Run-game hand placement consistency and body control when engaged can improve. Overpowers defenders with regularity, but punch power can more consistently manifest.
Baker would obviously be a huge addition for the Vols, but he might be a long shot for Tennessee.
247Sports reported earlier this week that Ohio State leads for Baker after his recent visit to Columbus. The talented offensive lineman also has visits to Georgia and Texas coming up soon.
Tennessee is at least in the conversation when it comes to this key recruiting battle, but they have a lot of work to do if they're going to win it.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
