Evaluating the Tennessee Vols Recruiting Class at the Dead Period: Defensive End

Sep 7, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones runs off the field after defeating the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 52-20 during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive End Commitments to Tennessee for 2016

Chidi Okonya: Riverdale, Ga. (Riverdale H.S.)

A three-star prospect on Rivals, Chidi Okonya is a great pick-up that at least assures the Vols will now be five-deep through 2016 and likely four-deep through 2017.

Okonya is a 6’6″ 230 pound end who runs a 4.7-40, and it was a good move for Butch Jones and Co. to lure him away from Georgia. He will be a valuable player who could immediately get into the rotation next year if things go a certain way.

Okonya can get up high and is tall, which will be very valuable for deflecting passes, and he is a good all-around end whose stock could improve over the next couple of months if he has a good senior season. This was a perfect pickup for Jones and Co. and at least makes sure that the Vols will be in decent shape on the line going forward on the outside.

But there is still a little more work to do and plenty other prospects for the coaching staff to go after in order to build the necessary depth at the position for the future. Let’s take a look at the available prospects at defensive end.

Next: Available Weakside Defensive End Prospects