Tennessee Vols' pursuit of elite 5-star recruit might have hit a speedbump
Last month, On3's Chad Simmons reported that the Tennessee Vols are the team to beat for 2024 five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri. “Tennessee is now the team to beat. Williams loves it there," said a source to Simmons. Nwaneri, 6-foot-5/250 lbs from Lees Summit, MO, is ranked in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 1 […]
Last month, On3's Chad Simmons reported that the Tennessee Vols are the team to beat for 2024 five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri.
“Tennessee is now the team to beat. Williams loves it there," said a source to Simmons.
Nwaneri, 6-foot-5/250 lbs from Lees Summit, MO, is ranked in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 1 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 4 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class.
Oklahoma has been viewed as Tennessee's top competition for Nwaneri. But there's another team in the mix now that could really shake up this recruiting battle.
Nwaneri visited Georgia this past weekend and the visit reportedly went extremely well.
“Most definitely I can see myself there,” said Nwaneri to 247Sports. “It was just a more in-depth visit and got to spend time with the players and all that. It was pretty nice. I enjoyed it.”
“Obviously they were National Champions, you see how many d-linemen they’re putting out, edge rushers they’re putting in the league," added Nwaerni. "They’re just a powerhouse in football right now.”
It's going to be tough for the Vols to beat out Georgia for Nwaneri — assuming the talented recruit's interest in Georgia is genuine.
Tennessee might be the place for offensive recruits right now — as far as reaching the NFL — but it's hard to argue against Georgia when it comes to sending defensive players to the NFL.
Nwaneri's goals are obviously to win a national championship and get to the NFL.
Tennessee can promise that those goals are possible if he commits to the Vols, but Georgia can show proof that it's possible in Athens. And that will be tough for Tennessee to recruit against.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
