Evaluating Tennessee Vols Recruiting Class at Dead Period: Quarterback

Nov 30, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Targets Still Available at Quarterback

Xavier Gaines: Frostproof, Fla. (Lake Wales)

If the Vols were going to pick up another elite prospect at quarterback to get fans excited, it would be this guy. Xavier Gaines is a four-star on Rivals and the No. 8 ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country.

Gaines is a little more of a pure pocket passer, running a 4.87-40 according to Rivals, and at 6’2″ 208 pounds, he does not have the ideal height on the same level as Guarantano. But he still is very skilled from the pocket.

At any rate, the Vols will have a hard time picking him up. According to 247 and Rivals, Florida State, Auburn, Clemson, Texas, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, Alabama, and even Wisconsin are all drawing more interest than Tennessee.

But hey, anything could happen here. If you want another quarterback, go all in on Gaines.

Avery McCall: Dillon, S.C. (Dillon)

There is a lot less competition for McCall than Gaines, which could work in the Vols’ favor, as they are one of only six schools legitimately in the running according to Rivals.

McCall is at most 6’1″ and runs between 195 and just over 200 pounds, but he does run a 4.6-40, which is a good starting point.

At any rate, getting the three-star prospect on Rivals out of the Carolinas would be a monumental task for any school. Even Coastal Carolina is drawing major interest. But South Carolina East Carolina, UNC, and N.C. State are all major players as well.

The only schools out of the region that may have a legitimate chance are Oregon State and LSU. Tennessee is a long-shot.

Next: Overall Quarterback Evaluation