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Tennessee football: Vols make cut for 4-star in-state 2020 DE

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football recruiting is working for a local defensive end. Four-star edge rusher Tyler Baron of Knoxville, Tenn. had the Volunteers in his top 11.

One major focus for Jeremy Pruitt when building his 2020 recruiting class is outside rushers. Tennessee football is going to need them on the defensive line and at outside linebacker. They may be a bit closer to getting help there now.

The Vols have made the cut for a key in-state strongside defensive end. Tyler Baron, who hails from Knoxville Catholic High School, listed Rocky Top in his top 11. He was one of two players from Knoxville to trim his list Tuesday and keep the Vols in it.

Tennessee football is on the list with the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Auburn Tigers, the Florida Gators, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, the LSU Tigers, the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oregon Ducks, the Texas A&M Aggies and the Virginia Tech Hokies. Baron announced his list on Twitter.

A four-star on Rivals, Baron stands at 6’4″ 250 pounds. So he looks more like a player who would line up at outside linebacker in Pruitt’s system. However, being listed as a strongside defensive end, that leaves open the possibility that he could put on some weight and play on the line.

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Simply put, Baron has a key level of versatility that allows Pruitt to use him where he most has a need. Add in the bonus of him being from Knoxville, and Tennessee football needs to keep him in the state as much as possible.

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His overall rating to prove his skill also make him a valuable target. Currently, Baron is the No. 134 player nationally on Rivals, and he’s the No. 9 player at his position. He is the No. 7 ranked player in the state of Tennessee.

And the good news for the Vols is that they remain the favorite to land him. The Rivals FanFutureCast has UT as a 77 percent favorite to land him, and their general FutureCast has them at a 100 percent chance to land him. Meanwhile, all three predictions on the 247Sports Crystal Ball have the Vols landing him as well.

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So Tennessee football is in great shape to land Baron right now, and given the value he provides, that’s great news for Pruitt. Baron boosts the Vols’ in-state talent, brings a level of raw skill and also fills a major need Simply put, it’s a big deal for them to land this guy, and Tuesday made them one step closer to doing that.

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