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Tennessee football: Evaluating the Vols 2019 recruiting class at dead period by position

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football recruiting is in a dead period for 2019. Here’s a breakdown by position of where the Volunteers stand and where they need to go here.

Tennessee football’s recruiting role over the last two month has been necessary just to get the Vols on equal footing with other programs. Now, though, things are about to slow down, even if they still have tons of work to do.

We all know that recruiting is the lifeblood of any program. We also know that given what he was going for, Jeremy Pruitt would have a tough time selling Tennessee football to recruits before coaching a game for the Vols on Rocky Top.

With the dead period underway, we’re going to evaluate the Vols’ recruiting class by each major position over the next two weeks, looking at one position a night while they’re in this period. The evaluation will analyze the current roster, the current commitments, and top and potential targets. We’ll then give a prediction and final take. Here’s an evaluation of each position.

Evaluating the 2019 Vols recruiting class by position: Quarterbacks

"Tennessee football has one quarterback committed for its 2019 recruiting class. Here is an evaluation of where the Volunteers stand there."

Evaluating the 2019 Vols recruiting class by position: Running Backs

"Tennessee football’s running back situation is up in the air for its 2019 recruiting class. Here is an evaluation of where the Volunteers stand there."

Evaluating the 2019 Vols recruiting class by position: Wide Receivers

"Adding wide receivers is a big part of Tennessee football recruiting for 2019. Here is where the Volunteers stand at that position."

Evaluating the 2019 Vols recruiting class by position: Tight Ends

"Tennessee football tight ends are a huge part of Jeremy Pruitt’s system. Here’s where the Volunteers stand recruiting them for 2019."

Evaluating the 2019 Vols recruiting class by position: Offensive Line

"Beefing up the offensive line is crucial if Jeremy Pruitt is to rebuild Tennessee football. Here’s where the Volunteers stand there for 2019 recruiting."

Evaluating the 2019 Vols recruiting class by position: Defensive Line

"The defensive line is crucial to Tennessee football in Jeremy Pruitt’s new system. Here is where the Volunteers stand with linemen for 2019."

Evaluating the 2019 Vols recruiting class by position: Linebackers

"Tennessee football needs to stack up at linebacker to run Jeremy Pruitt’s scheme. Here’s where the Volunteers stand for 2019 recruiting there."

Evaluating the 2019 Vols recruiting class by position: Defensive Backs

"Tennessee football head coach Jeremy Pruitt has a special focus on the secondary. Here is where the Volunteers stand for recruiting 2019 defensive backs."

Pruitt inherited a program coming off its worst season in school history. He also had to completely change the recruiting board because he’s running different systems on offense and defense with Tyson Helton and Kevin Sherrer respectively. He also isn’t proven as a first-year head coach.

As a result, the Vols were significantly behind teams when it came to recruiting for 2019. But once May hit, they got on a roll. Since the beginning of that month, Tennessee football has secured eight commitments, including one during the dead period. They have simply been on a roll. Now, with 12 commitments and a Top 20 class, we want to take a look at where they need to go in the future.

The Vols are currently ranked No. 19 on Rivals with one five-star, five four-stars and six three-stars. Although that’s Top 20 overall, it’s only No. 9 in the SEC. So this school has serious work to do if it wants to return to its glory days.

Next: Top 15 prospects for Vols to pursue in 2019

Pruitt is trying to get this program to compete with the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs on the trail. However, it is difficult since he inherited a worse situation. That’s why he’s targeting some JuCo guys and looking to win immediately. He needs to make a splash on the field to win, and that’ll be the big thing to help him win with recruits.

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