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Evaluating Tennessee football’s 2021 DT class at dead period

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images /

Top prospects

Tim Keenan

  • Ratings: Four-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’2″ 290 pounds
  • Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
  • High School: Ramsay

In May, Tennessee football made the top 15 for Tim Keenan. The Alabama Crimson Tide are the unanimous favorite to land him on the Rivals Future Cast and the majority favorite on the Rivals Fan Future Cast. But there are no 247Sports Crystal Ball picks. As a result, the Vols could be in contention and should push for him, especially with Jeremy Pruitt’s connections to Alabama.

Tywone Malone

  • Ratings: Four-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’4″ 300 pounds
  • Hometown: Oradell, N.J.
  • High School: Bergen Catholic

We’ve talked before about a potential pipeline into New Jersey with Jarrett Guarantano, and two defensive tackle commitments from Baltimore add one into the Mid-Atlantic. Tywone Malone does have a top 14, and UT is in it. Now, the Ohio State Buckeyes are an overwhelming favorite on Rivals, but there are no 247Sports Crystal Ball picks yet, so again, Pruitt could make a play here.

Payton Page

  • Ratings: Four-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’4″ 315 pounds
  • Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.
  • High School: Dudley

One of the schools in Payton Page’s top 11, the Vols do already have a connection into North Carolina on the defensive tackle front with Isaac Washington’s commitment. However, the Clemson Tigers are a unanimous favorite here on the Rivals Future Cast and the 247Sports Crystal Ball. As a result, landing Page will be more difficult. It’s not, however, impossible.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

  • Ratings: Four-star (247sports); Three-star (Rivals, ESPN)
  • Size: 6’6″ 300 pounds
  • Hometown: Gaffney, S.C.
  • High School: Gaffney

Rocky Top made the top six for Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins in May. As of now, they appear to be competing with the South Carolina Gamecocks, a majority favorite to land him on the Rivals Future Cast. However, Tennessee football is in serious contention, and if they can get him to be interested in a place outside of his home state, things could take an interesting turn.

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