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Tennessee football: Evaluating 2021 RB class at dead period

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Detail view of footballs lined up on the field before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Detail view of footballs lined up on the field before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Commitments

Cody Brown

  • Ratings: Four-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’0″ 211 pounds
  • Hometown: Lilburn, Ga.
  • High School: Parkview

By far the best running back in Tennessee football’s 2021 recruiting class, Cody Brown has a combined 3,264 yards and 45 touchdowns over the past two seasons playing in Georgia. He is a complete running back, who brings the perfect combination of speed and power. Jeremy Pruitt hasn’t had a guy like him yet on campus, so Brown will be a huge addition.

Tiyon Evans (JuCo: Hutchinson Community College; Hutchinson, Kan.)

  • Ratings: Four-star (247Sports); Three-star (Rivals)
  • Size: 5’9″ 225 pounds
  • Hometown: Hartsville, S.C.
  • High School: Hartsville

With two seniors, the Vols clearly want immediate help at running back next year to offset the losses of Ty Chandler and Carlin Fils-Aime. In the process, Pruitt is going the junior college route with Tiyon Evans. An experienced back, Evans is a power guy given his frame. He will give Pruitt three options in that role next year and perfectly complement Eric Gray, an all-purpose back.

Jaylen Wright 

  • Ratings: Three-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’0″ 198 pounds
  • Hometown: Durham, N.C.
  • High School: Southern

With the departure of Fils-Aime, Jaylen Wright could end up being the new fundamentals back. There will definitely be a spot for him to provide depth on the roster, and he helps to re-establish the pipeline into North Carolina. As a result, he’s a great pickup for Pruitt and UT.

Elijah Howard (Athlete)

  • Ratings: Three-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 5’11” 180 pounds
  • Hometown: Chattanooga, Tenn.
  • High School: Baylor School

We don’t yet know if Elijah Howard will play running back or defensive back. If he sticks to running back, he could be a game-changer with his world-class speed, as he reportedly timed a 4.33 40-time. Assuming that’s true, he could be the guy waiting in the wings to replace Gray in the future.

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