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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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Top prospects

Javon Nelson

  • Ratings: Four-star (Rivals, 247Sports); Three-star (ESPN)
  • Size: 6’3″ 260 pounds
  • Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
  • High School: Riverdale

There are no Rivals Future Cast or 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions for this in-state strongside defensive end, but Javon Nelson has Tennessee football in his top 10, and the Vols definitely have room for him. Nelson is very close to being another very effective player up on the line, but he could also be that hybrid edge rusher. Either way, Jeremy Pruitt should heavily target him.

Landyn Watson

Ratings: Four-star (Rivals, ESPN); Three-star (247Sports)

  • Size: 6’3″ 230 pounds
  • Hometown: Hutto, Texas
  • High School: Hutto

By securing Kaidon Salter, the Vols may be establishing a small pipeline into Texas. Anyway, Landyn Watson has UT in his top six, but the Virginia Tech Hokies are the majority favorite to land him on the Rivals Future Cast and 247Sports Crystal Ball. Still, there is plenty of room for Watson on Rocky Top as a weakside end, and Pruitt’s track record could only further that.

Khristian Zachary 

  • Ratings: Four-star (ESPN); Three-star (247Sports, Rivals)
  • Size: 6’3″ 238 pounds
  • Hometown: Carrollton, Ga.
  • High School: Carrollton

Sticking with weakside ends who have high but mixed ratings, Khristian Zachary is a Georgia prospect who has Tennessee football in his top six. There are no favorites on any media outlets yet, and Zachary has the profile to fill a huge need for the Vols. They are short on those hybrid edge rushers, which are weakside ends, and Zachary is a guy they could make a push for.

Demarcus Smith

  • Ratings: Three-star (Rivals); NR (247Sports)
  • Size: 6’4″ 250 pounds
  • Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
  • High School: Parker

Right now, Demarcus Smith is a highly under-the-radar strongside defensive end. Rocky Top is in his top seven, and while there are no major predictions for him anywhere, they appear to be in great position to land him. Smith’s size, once again, puts him in position to fill whatever need Pruitt has, as a strongside or weakside end.

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