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Evaluating Tennessee football’s 2021 edge rusher class at dead period

By Caleb Calhoun

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey IX howls during pre-game introductions before the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. Virginia Tech beat Tennessee 37-14. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey IX howls during pre-game introductions before the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. Virginia Tech beat Tennessee 37-14. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

Commitments

Dylan Brooks

  • Ratings: Four-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’5″ 220 pounds
  • Hometown: Roanoke, Ala.
  • High School: Handley

He was the guy who got everything going. Dylan Brooks is a weakside defensive end who committed to Tennessee football back in April. His commitment set off a month-long firestorm that pushed the Vols’ class from barely in the top 20 into the top two.

As a four-star prospect, Brooks’ commitment helps Jeremy Pruitt continue his pipeline into the state of Alabama while also shoring up his depth among weakside edge rushers. Brooks will help him in multiple ways.

Trinity Bell 

  • Ratings: Three-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’7″ 260 pounds
  • Hometown: Albertville, Ala.
  • High School: Albertville

He is listed as both a tight end and a strongside defensive end. Trinity Bell is another Alabama prospect who committed to Pruitt, and given the size he already has, it’s easy to see how he could end up on the line as an edge rusher.

Of course, there may be a need for tight end, which could allow Bell to play on that side of the ball. But based on what Pruitt said about the need to build up depth among edge rushers, it’s a more likely bet Bell stays here.

Darrell Jackson

  • Ratings: Three-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’6″ 245 pounds
  • Hometown: Havana, Fla.
  • High School: East Gadsden

Building into the Florida pipeline just like the Alabama pipeline, Darrell Jackson is a strongside defensive end who will certainly help provide more depth there. Given his frame at 6’6″ 245 pounds, he could probably play weakside defensive end as well.

Taking that into account, Jackson brings a potential level of versatility that will allow Pruitt to do exactly what he needs to do to shore up the depth he needs to shore up. As a result, he’s a solid commitment to the program.

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