Apr 12, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers players celebrate after their spring game at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Darrin Kirkland Jr, a 2015 four-star inside linebacker from Indianapolis, IN, released his top ten schools on Thursday evening and the Vols were near the top of his (non-prioritized) list.
Kirkland, 6’2″/228 lbs, is rated by 247Sports as the seventh best inside linebacker in the nation and the third best player in the state of Indiana.
The Indiana native received his offer from Oklahoma on Thursday. The Sooners play the Volunteers this upcoming season in Norman.
Kirkland, who has both schools in his top ten, will be paying special attention to that game. A strong performance from the Vols on the road could be just what they need to sway Kirkland to Rocky Top.
Then again, if they play like they did against Oregon this past season, the Vols might find themselves slipping right out of Kirkland’s top ten.
Regardless of what happens in Norman next season, Kirkland is a player the Vols would love to see in Orange.