Tennessee football: 5 strongest states for Vols in 2019

3. Florida

Number of players: 14 (2 newcomers)

Key talent: Deandre Johnson, Tim Jordan, Shanon Reid

Jeremy Pruitt’s focus on his staff with guys like Chris Weinke shows his interest in building a pipeline into the state of Florida. However, Butch Jones did a lot more of that, and he’s the reason a lot of the talent on Tennessee football today remains from that state.

The Vols have one sure starter in Deandre Johnson from there, and he’s a budding superstar. After Johnson, they have three potential starters. Tim Jordan and Shanon Reid are guaranteed to be contributors at running back and inside linebacker.

Meanwhile, Marcus Tatum is actually projected as a starter on the offensive line, but we’ve got him off the list of the top key talent due to the potential for Trey Smith’s return to health and the pending arrival of Darnell Wright knocking him back into the rotation. Still, he’s another possible contributor.

Add in Kivon Bennett, who stood out in the spring as an edge rusher, and the state of Florida has five guys expected to be significant contributors to the Vols this year. Seniors Carlin Fils-Aime, Tyler Byrd and Brandon Johnson are all also offensive weapons from the state, and they could mix themselves into the rotation.

Receiver Jacquez Jones, defensive lineman Kingston Harris and tight end James Brown all have futures on the roster as well. Add in two newcomers, both of whom are early enrollees and one of whom is a backup quarterback in Brian Maurer, and Pruitt has quite a bit of Florida talent to work with.