Tennessee Vols are a legitimate threat to land 5-star linebacker
The Tennessee Vols have added two five-star recruits in the last couple of weeks, so why not add another one? 2021 five-star linebacker Smael Mondon is near the top of the Vols' recruiting board. And Tennessee appears to be a legitimate threat to land the elite linebacker. Mondon, 6-foot-3/220 lbs from Dallas, GA, is rated […]
The Tennessee Vols have added two five-star recruits in the last couple of weeks, so why not add another one?
2021 five-star linebacker Smael Mondon is near the top of the Vols' recruiting board. And Tennessee appears to be a legitimate threat to land the elite linebacker.
Mondon, 6-foot-3/220 lbs from Dallas, GA, is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 3 player in the state of Georgia and the No. 2 outside linebacker in the nation. He's also rated as the No. 26 overall 2021 recruit in the nation.
Rivals recruiting analyst Chad Simmons ranked the contenders for Mondon last month and he had the Vols as the fourth most likely team to land the five-star recruit, behind Georgia, Florida and Auburn.
Here's what Simmons said about Tennessee and Mondon:
The staff overall at Tennessee has done a good job recruiting Mondon, and each time he has visited Knoxville, he has felt comfortable. He has listened to the Tennessee coaches, he has heard their plan for him and he has taken a real liking to the Vols. He has visited Tennessee a handful of times, he likes the vibe on campus, and the comfort level with the coaching staff has made the Vols a very solid contender.
Mondon told Rivals this week that the coronavirus related shutdown has slowed down his recruitment a bit. He had planned to release his top five or six schools this spring, but that might have to wait until later this summer.
The Georgia native noted that he has a good relationship with Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma. Mondon likes the Sooners a lot, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's Oklahoma bound.
Mondon also pointed out that he's made a strong connection with Vols linebackers coach Brian Niedermeyer, who happens to be one of the top recruiters in the nation.
Tennessee is a threat to land any player that Niedermeyer is recruiting. He's essentially the Vols' ace in the hole.
Niedermeyer, however, is going to have to put in a lot of work to bring Mondon to Rocky Top. Mondon said he still plans on taking his official visits before committing (which he said could be after the season). So this is a recruiting battle that will continue until Mondon puts pen to paper.
If the Vols are able to maintain their momentum from the end of the 2019 season, they'll have a good chance to sign Mondon.
The elite linebacker may have a great relationship with Riley and the Sooners, but if getting developed as a defensive player is at the top of his list, then having Jeremy Pruitt as a head coach might be Mondon's best bet.
Featured image via 247Sports
