Tennessee football: Four-star WR Malachi Wideman flips to Vols from FSU

On National Signing Day, Tennessee football recruiting got a huge win by flipping a 2020 wide receiver from the Florida State Seminoles to the Volunteers.

Heading into National Signing Day, wideout was a huge position of need for Tennessee football. Things started off pretty solid, as the Vols secured a commitment from a 6’5″ athlete who will likely play that position in college.

Later that afternoon, however, they scored another huge win. The Vols flipped 2020 four-star wide receiver Malachi Wideman from the Florida State Seminoles, and he signed with Rocky Top Wednesday afternoon.

Wideman had been committed to FSU since last May. However, after the firing of Willie Taggart in December, teams were making a play for him. Tennessee football became one of those teams, and they secured a huge signing in the process. The receiver announced his decision by pulling a hat out of a box at a signing ceremony.

For Jeremy Pruitt and Jim Chaney, this is a huge steal, and it’s also proof of how Chris Weinke’s connections paid off. Weinke was Wideman’s top recruiter. His Florida connections likely played a huge role in this process.

Joining Dee Beckwith as the second player to commit to UT on National Signing Day, Wideman’s move put the Vols’ 2020 class in the top 10 across all recruiting services. Both of those players bring necessary size to the receiver position.

Ranked the No. 10 wide receiver nationally and the No. 12 wide receiver in the state of Florida on Rivals, Wideman stands at 6’5″ 190 pounds and hails from Venice High School in Venice, Fla. So he brings immediate help and could emerge into a star pretty quickly.

Overall, Wideman is the 23rd commitment to the class and the third receiver with three other athletes, including Beckwith, who could play receiver being committed. He is also the second prospect out of Florida. Here is a look at his highlight reel.

As you can see, Wideman’s skill is his vertical along with his height. He is the perfect guy to help offset the losses of Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway because of his ability to win jump-balls. The fact that he has the speed to outrun defenses on short screen passes and even handoffs makes him more impressive.

His highlight reel isn’t just on the football field either. Check out these clips of him on the basketball court, where he can do amazing dunks and impressive jumps. All of this appears to be a bit unreal.

Yes, those are the ups that Wideman has, and he even impressed LeBron James and Dwyane Wade with his skill. Heck, the guy could be a two-sport athlete and play for Rick Barnes if he wanted to. He’s that explosive.

Simply put, he’s a great pickup for Tennessee football. There’s no denying that the Vols are now set with lots of bodies at wideout for the future. Securing Wideman is an awesome way for Pruitt to close out National Signing Day.