Nov 10, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; A general view of the Tennessee Volunteers logo on the field prior to the game against the Missouri Tigers at Neyland Stadium. Missouri defeated Tennessee 51-48 in quadruple overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dillon Bates, the top linebacker target of the Tennessee Volunteers in 2014, was recently named one of the top linebackers of the Rivals Camp Series. Bates took part in the series’ stop in Orlando.
@dillonbates Congrats Dillon, you were named our No. 6 top linebacker from the #RivalsCamp Series! Check it out: http://t.co/LK6a0GYJJN
— Rivals Camp Series (@RivalsCamp) May 15, 2013
Bates is one of the many Vol “legacies” that Tennessee is hoping to land next signing day. Bates’ father is former Vols defender Bill Bates.
The native of Ponte Vedra, Florida is rated as a four-star linebacker by Rivals and is the third ranked linebacker in the nation.
Bates (6’3″/207) has been offered by almost every major school, including Alabama, Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia Tech among other schools.
Most recruiting analysts feel it’s not if Dillon Bates will commit to Tennessee, but when he will commit to Tennessee.
Even then it’s important for fans to remember that no recruit is ever a “lock”. Butch Jones and his staff showed they fully understand that when they sent Dillon over 100 letters last month.
Jones is showing the “Vol legacies” that they are wanted based on their own body of work, not just because of their family ties.
For more on Tennessee Volunteers recruiting make sure to follow us on Twitter @AllforTennessee