Evaluating Tennessee Vols Recruiting Class at Dead Period: Running Backs

Oct 4, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fans during the first quarter against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Current Targets at Running Back Part I

Kyle Porter- Katy, Texas (Katy H.S.)

A four-star prospect out of Texas, it may be hard for the Vols to get Kyle Porter away from one of the Texas schools, particularly Baylor or Texas. But with Houston, Maryland, and Oregon also on the radar, Porter appears to be showing some interest in joining elements of a spread offense.

That could make him a great fit for Butch Jones and Co. And Tennessee is certainly on his radar. With a 4.42-40 time, it’s pretty hard to ignore how perfect Porter would be for the Vols as a speed back. But again, when you factor in playing time and location, he might be hard to lure away.

Trevor Speights- McAllen, Texas (McAllen Memorial H.S.)

Speights is a three-star prospect out of Texas, but he is a very realistic possibility for the Vols to add to their roster. As a three-star prospect on Rivals and 247 Sports, he probably comes across as too small at 5’9″ 196 pounds.

But when it comes to pure speed, Speights is hard to ignore. He runs a 4.44-40 and is being recruited by Robert Gillespie. According to both 247 Sports and Rivals, Tennessee is a major player for Speights, but they have schools like Stanford, Arizona, and Texas A&M to worry about. I’d worry most about Texas A&M.

Devin White- Springhill, La. (North Webster H.S.)

Considered an athlete by recruiting services, Devin White is freakishly large and fast for his size. The four-star prospect on rivals is 6’0″ and in the 240-pound range, but he also runs a 4.5-40.

White’s greatness will be unquestioned. Getting him to Tennessee will likely be too hard. LSU is a major player for the Louisiana prospect, and Ole Miss is right there with them. Then come Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, and Oklahoma on the list. It’s unlikely Tennessee moves to the top.

B.J. Emmons- Morganton, N.C. (Freedom H.S.)

B.J. Emmons is a four-star prospect on Rivals who decommitted from Georgia and stands at 5’11” 210 pounds and runs a 4.55-40. There are 13 schools in the running for him, and Tennessee has the best mix of a location advantage plus prestige.

N.C. State, UNC, Duke, Charlotte, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, and Clemson are all in the running. But Tennessee and Alabama appear to be the top schools, and the Vols win on location when it comes to those schools, so there is a very good chance he chooses Tennessee. Remember he visited Knoxville twice this past spring. So he is very much a possibility.

Devwah Whaley- Beaumont, Texas (Central H.S.)

Devwah Whaley is another four-star prospect who received an offer from Tennessee, and the Vols have certainly made his Top 10. But actually landing the Texas prospect will be hard.

Whaley is looking heavily in the Big 12 with Oklahoma and Texas as major contenders to get him, and when he does stay in the SEC, he looks more toward the southwest with Texas A&M and Arkansas as major players. His biggest player further east is Georgia, but there’s still time. Keep an eye out for him.

Elijah Holyfield- College Park, Ga. (Woodward Academy)

Another four-star prospect, Tennessee is very much a player for Elijah Holyfield as well. The Vols are in his Top Five as of right now according to most sources, but he has not really trimmed his list yet. Still, keep an eye out for him if the Vols can jump over Auburn and Georgia.

The son of Evander Holyfield, Elijah Holyfield is about 5’10” and 195 to 205 pounds. He runs a 4.5-40 and is the perfect prospect as a running back. Getting him out of Georgia will be tough, but Tennessee is very much in play.

Next: Current Targets at Running Back Part II