Evaluating the Tennessee Vols Recruiting Class at Dead Period: Offensive Line
Oct 25, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fans line up for the Vol Walk outside Neyland Stadium prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Available Prospects at Offensive Tackle for 2016Â
Jauan Williams: Washington, D.C. (Archbishop Carroll H.S.)
Butch Jones’s staff and the Tennessee Vols are fighting with teams all over the country for this four-star prospect based out of the Nation’s Capitol. Jauan Williams appears to have high interest in Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, and right at home with Maryland. But Tennessee is in the top three as of right now according to 247. And he would be welcomed very quickly.
Williams is a 6’7″ tackle weighing 303 pounds. His size would make him perfect for those tall rushers who like to deflect passes, and he is being recruited heavily by the Vols. Considering that Maryland and Ohio State are both on the list, he clearly likes spread offenses too, which is a great sign.
Bryce Matthews: Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)
Here is another homegrown prospect, and Butch Jones has had his way with owning the state of Tennessee since he took over the Volunteers. Add in the Brentwood pipeline, and this is Tennessee’s best chance to add another lineman for this year’s class. According to 247 Sports, he is indeed most likely to choose Tennessee, but there are 11 schools in the running and three other schools, Clemson, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M all in heavy contention to get him.
Matthews is another 6’6″ 275 pound tackle, just like the other Brentwood commitment to the Vols right now, Ryan Johnson. It would be a huge shock if he did not end up at Tennessee, so that is a great sign.
Marcus Tatum: Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland H.S.)
As a four-star on Rivals, Marcus Tatum has listened to offers from 24 schools. But according to 247 Sports, the fight for him comes down to two schools: Tennessee and Florida. The Gators appear to have a slight lead, but this could go either way, and don’t count out Alabama, Auburn, Miami, and other schools getting into the mix.
Tatum would be an awesome pickup for the Vols. He is more of an agile player at 6’6″ and about 260 pounds, and he would certainly need to put on weight upon entering college. But as a player overall he is great. And Tennessee getting him out of Florida would also be great.
Next: Available Prospects at Offensive Guard