Vols Football 2015 Offers: Defensive Ends

4. D’Andre Walker

The three players who committed Saturday (Alvin Kamara, Quay Picou, and Austin Smith) were all from Georgia, showing the importance Georgia plays for Tennessee in recruiting. Many of the Vols remaining top targets are in Georgia as well, and D’Andre Walker is one such prospect.

Walker, a native of Fairburn, Georgia, is a 4-star weak-side defensive end rated as the No. 162 overall player in the country. He’s a little thin for an SEC defensive lineman at 6-2, 218 lbs, but that means he could be suited for the “leo” hybrid position Butch Jones likes to use, meaning he can play linebacker or defensive end.

Essentially, Walker would be used as a pass rusher, and rush the passer he can certainly do. As a junior, Walker amassed 108 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, 21 sacks, forced 7 fumbles, and recovered a fumble (according to Max Preps).

With stats like that, it’s no wonder top programs across the country are pursuing him. Walker currently holds offers from 26 schools, including Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Clemson, and many others.

As it stands, Georgia and Auburn are the top candidates to land Walker, but Tennessee has certainly made an impact on the defensive end, as he has visited the Vols four times since the beginning of March. His recruitment will likely be a heated one, and the Vols should be right in the mix for Walker.