2016 4-Star QB Commits to Vols

Butch Jones has added two quarterbacks for the future in just a two month span, this time adding Austin Kendall to the 2016 class. What else is in store for the Vols coming up? PHOTO: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Butch Jones and his staff continued their torrid recruiting pace Sunday afternoon when they received a commitment from 2016 4-star pro-style quarterback Austin Kendall.

Kendall is rated as the No. 168 overall player in the 247Sports Composite rankings, and they have him as the 9th best pro-style quarterback in the 2016 class. The rising junior completed 61.3% of his passes as a sophomore, throwing for 1,668 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also ran the ball 55 times for 265 yards and two scores (according to Max Preps).

While Kendall is not a run-first quarterback, he does possess good escapability and plenty of athleticism to elude defenders when needed. He shows good pocket presence, and good touch on his throws. One look at his highlight tape shows the major potential the rising junior possesses:

Kendall’s recruitment is far from over since he is only a rising junior, but he already holds offers from 10 different schools and is getting attention from many others. The schools that have offered him along with the Vols are Miami, Clemson, West Virginia, Virginia, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Boston College, and Charlotte.

The 6-2, 205 lbs Waxhaw, North Carolina product is Tennessee’s 5th known commitment for the 2016 class, and he is currently the highest rated commitment in their class. Kendall’s commitment vaulted the Vols into the top 5 in the early 2016 recruiting rankings, pushing them all the way to No. 3. They are now the top ranked SEC team in the 2016 class as well.

The commitment of a QB this early in a recruiting class cannot be understated, especially one of Kendall’s caliber. The Vols received a big boost in their 2015 class once Quinten Dormady committed in early June of this year. Since then, Tennessee has received 10 commitments in a two month span. Imagine how much of a draw Kendall will be to potential recruits looking at the Vols in 2016.