Vols Football 2015 Offers: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

2. Van Jefferson

The one elite receiver the Vols have the best remaining chance of landing is in-state star Van Jefferson.

Jefferson plays at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee and is a 4-star receiver. He is ranked as the No. 104 overall player and the 2nd best player in the state of Tennessee. Jefferson currently holds offers from 14 different schools, and he has warranted all the attention he’s received.

At nearly 6-3, 172 lbs, Jefferson has excellent size that will translate well at the collegiate level. He possesses solid route running and a high football IQ. He, like Kirk, attended The Opening two weeks ago.

As a junior, Jefferson caught 87 passes for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has good speed, but he has the hands and skills to be a reliable possession receiver.

Jefferson also has the benefit of having a strong bloodline. His father, Shawn Jefferson, played in the NFL for 13 seasons as a receiver and is currently the wide receivers coach for the Tennessee Titans. So to say Van understands the nuances of the receiver position is an understatement.

The leading candidates to land Jefferson are the Vols, Ohio State, and Georgia. It would appear, however, that Florida is beginning to make some headway in his recruitment, as they offered him back on April 23rd and he visited the Gators on June 24th.

Regardless, it would appear Ohio State and Tennessee are locked in a recruiting battle to gain Jefferson’s commitment. Adding an in-state talent like Jefferson to the 2015 class would be akin to the addition of elite in-state receiver Josh Malone to the 2014 class last recruiting cycle. Butch Jones has made locking up Tennessee prospects a priority, and adding Jefferson would be a huge boost to the already gaudy 2015 class.