Vols Targeting A QB In 2015 Recruiting Class
By Zach Ragan
Oct 26, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Justin Worley (14) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Unless something crazy happens in the next two months, the Tennessee Volunteers’ 2014 recruiting class will not include a quarterback.
Which means signing a quarterback in the 2015 class is an absolute must.
The Vols currently have four quarterbacks on their roster: Justin Worley, a soon to be senior, and sophomores Nathan Peterman (RS), Josh Dobbs and Riley Ferguson.
Either Dobbs or Ferguson is expected to be the future of the Vols, but neither is a guarantee to be the guy that leads Tennessee back to prominence.
The Vols have extended 10 scholarship offers to 2015 quarterbacks so far.
Here are the 10 they’ve offered, and the chances that they will commit to Tennessee, from very low to very high.
Kevin Dillman — Dual Threat
La Mirada, CA (La Mirada) — 6’4″/220 — 5-Star
Dillman isn’t a super-fast dual threat player, but he’s quick enough to be a threat with his legs. Dillman’s skill-set would fit perfectly into Butch Jones’ offense.
The California native took an unofficial visit to Tennessee in July, but the Vols still appear to be long-shots to land a commitment.
All four of the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions have Dillman committing to Michigan, even though the Wolverines have yet to offer.
Tennessee’s Chances: Low
Zach Gentry — Pro Style
Eldorado (Albuquerque, NM) — 6’6″/215 — 4-Star
Zach Gentry is the latest 2015 quarterback to receive an offer from the Vols.
As I mentioned on Thursday, Gentry’s body-type and throwing motion reminds you of former Vol Tyler Bray.
Gentry doesn’t appear to be much of a runner, but he actually rushed for over 300 yards in his sophomore season.
However, it’s unlikely he’d be able to replicate those numbers at the collegiate level.
Gentry doesn’t have a ton of offers so far, but that should change as the 2015 recruiting season heats up.
Tennessee’s Chances: Moderate
Jauan Jennings — Dual Threat
Murfreesboro, TN (Blackman) — 6’4″/185 — 4-Star
Jennings was initially viewed as an ATH by most schools, but he seems to be picking up steam as a quarterback.
That’s good for Jennings, considering that’s the position he’s hoping to play in college.
Jennings’ effectiveness as a passer will be the biggest question he has to answer at the next level. He could probably fit in well at Tennessee, but in my opinion he doesn’t seem to be exactly what the Vols will be looking for in their quarterback of the future.
Tennessee’s Chances: High
De’Andre Johnson — Dual Threat
Jacksonville, FL (First Coast) — 6’0″/175 — 3-Star
Johnson committed to Florida State way back in July, 2012. This isn’t a player that’s really going to be on the Vols’ radar in any way.
Tennessee’s Chances: Very low
Drew Lock — Pro Style
Lees Summit, MO (Lee’s Summit Sr.) — 6’5″/195 — 4-Star
The Vols just recently offered Drew Lock, a player that is a pure pro-style quarterback.
Lock has the ability to extend plays with his legs, but his bread and butter is throwing the ball. Lock would be a hard pull for the Vols, considering his dad played for Missouri.
He’s definitely a guy that could fit in well at Tennessee and would be a great addition.
Tennessee’s Chances: Moderate
Lorenzo Nunez — Dual Threat
Kennesaw, GA (Harrison) — 6’2″/183 — 4-Star
Lorenzo Nunez is another quarterback that would fit in to Butch Jones’ uptempo offense very well.
Nunez is a fast guy, but the Vols seem like a long shot to land a commitment from him.
As of right now, all five 247Sports Crytsal Ball predictions have Nunez committing to Ohio State
Tennessee’s Chances: Low
Josh Rosen — Pro Style
Bellflower, CA (St. John Bosco) — 6’4″/205 — 5-Star
If the Vols somehow landed a commitment from Josh Rosen, he’d be the prize of the 2015 class.
Rosen is the top rated pro-style quarterback and the number one player in the state of California. He has a strong, accurate arm and is a technically sound quarterback.
Unfortunately for the Vols, they have a lot of competition from programs like Texas, California, Stanford and USC.
Tennessee’s Chances: Low
Jarrett Stidham — Dual Threat
Stephenville (Stephenville, TX) — 6’3″/190 — 4-Star
Stidham is a guy that would fit in perfectly at Tennessee.
Even though he’s coming off his first season a starting quarterback, he exhibited some very desirable skills.
Stidham plays in a system that is similar to Tennessee’s. He’s a very fast quarterback and could be the answer for Tennessee at quarterback.
The Vols have visited Stidham twice this month, which tells you how much they covet the Texas native. Most recruiting analysts consider him to be a Baylor lean, but a lot could change in the next year.
Tennessee’s Chances: Moderate
Ricky Town — Pro Style
Ventura, CA (St. Bonaventure) — 6’4″/205 — 5-Star
Town is Alabama’s quarterback of the future.
The Vols just recently offered Town, but it’s highly unlikely he flips from his commitment.
Tennessee’s Chances: Very low
Matt Williams — Pro Style
Smyrna, TN (Lancaster Christian Academy) — 6’2″/206 — Not Rated
The Vols appear to be the first team that has offered in-state quarterback Matt Williams.
Williams describes himself as a dropback passer, that can pick up some yardage with his legs, but he’s not a run-first guy.
I’m not sure how Williams would fit into the Vols offensive scheme, but being an in-state guy, I’d say he’d probably love to play for Tennessee.
Tennessee’s Chances: High