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

Aug 31, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fan during the game against the Austin Peay Governors at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 45-0. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Top Available Weakside Defensive End Prospects for 2016

Jordan Smith: Lithonia, Ga. (Lithonia H.S.)

Jordan Smith is listed as a three-star prospect on Rivals right now at 6’6″ 220 pounds, but according to reports on 247 Sports, the Vols appear to be significantly in the running to get him, reaching the Top Four at this point. Smith is great at wrapping up and getting low, which is a huge asset for a defensive end.

Currently, Tennessee has got to find a way to beat out Clemson, Georgia, and South Carolina for him. But if they can, they will have a very solid pickup.

Koron Crump: Fort Scott, Kan. (Fort Scott H.S.)

Another three-star prospect on Rivals, Koron Crump is a smaller defensive end at 6’3″ 230 pounds, but he is strong and can get low to get past offensive linemen, making him a solid run-stopper. Tennessee is in his top three right now with Baylor and Arizona State according to Rivals, and coming out of Kansas, it is hard to see where he will pick.

But this is a junior college prospect, so he’ll probably go where he can play immediately. That may not be Tennessee.

Antonneous Clayton: Vienna, Ga. (Dooly County H.S.)

Tennessee gets to be in the same boat with 32 other schools in the quest to get Antonneous Clayton. The four-star on Rivals out of Georgia is listed at 6’4″ 218 pounds and has absolutely scary speed, which is perfect for a defensive end. He also knows how to get around blocks and use his straight-line speed to rush the passer.

The Vols have a location advantage over lots of schools for Clayton, but the Florida schools, South Carolina schools, Georgia Tech, and the Alabama schools all have that same advantage, so he could pick any of them.

Next: Available Strongside Defensive End Prospects