Tennessee football: Top 15 recruits for Vols to pursue in 2021
player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Javon Nelson. 2. Strongside Defensive End. 4-star
While all edge rushers are a big deal for Tennessee football, the real need for the Vols is a true strongside defensive end who can play on the line with the defensive tackles. Jeremy Pruitt is about to need lots of help on that front.
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Matthew Butler, Ja’Quain Blakely and LaTrell Bumphus all filled that role last year, and all three of them will be seniors this year. As a result, despite a couple of key commitments in this past class, the Vols still need some immediate help there. With such a need, they obviously should target an elite in-state guy who fulfills it immediately.
Javon Nelson is a four-star defensive end on Rivals. He actually isn’t nearly as highly ranked a player as Junior Colson, but he fills a bigger need overall and is a top 250 player nationally. Also, he is still a top 20 player at his position and a top 10 player in the state.
At 6’3″ 260 pounds, the prospect out of Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn. is primed to play one of the bigger roles. His size and skills make him the perfect fit, and Pruitt needs to go after him at all costs.
light. Related Story. Five needs for Vols to address in 2021 recruiting class
UT is in the top four to land him with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats and Vanderbilt Commodores. There are no predictions on the Rivals FutureCast or the 247Sports Crystal Ball. But Rocky Top is the favorite by a large majority on the Rivals FanFutureCast.