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Evaluating Tennessee football’s 2021 LB 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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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

Top prospects

Smael Mondon 

  • Ratings: Five-star (247Sports, ESPN); Four-star (Rivals)
  • Size: 6’3″ 210 pounds
  • Hometown: Dallas, Ga.
  • High School: Paulding County

Recently, Tennessee football made the top five for this elite Georgia prospect. However, the UGA Bulldogs are the unanimous favorite on the Rivals Future Cast and the 247Sports Crystal Ball to land the top 100 prospect and top 10 player at his position. As a result, the Vols have some work to do. The Dawgs are only a slight majority favorite, though, on the Rivals Fan Future Cast.

Dink Jackson

  • Ratings: Four-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’0″ 185 pounds
  • Hometown: Melbourne, Fla.
  • High School: Westlake

Although the Vols are in the top 10 for this elite Florida prospect, they have an uphill battle. The Florida State Seminoles are the unanimous favorite on the Rivals Future Cast and the 247Sports Crystal Ball, and they are a majority favorite on the Rivals Fan Future Cast. However, he is a decommitment from the Gators, and UT has had success on with recent prospects. So watch out.

Xavier Sorey 

  • Ratings: Four-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’3″ 220 pounds
  • Hometown: Graceville, Fla.
  • High School: Graceville

Listed as an athlete on Rivals and another elite Florida prospect, Xavier Sorey is clearly a linebacker. However, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the unanimous favorite to land him on the Rivals Future Cast and the 247Sports Crystal Ball. They are only a plurality favorite on the Rivals Fan Future Cast, but it still appears Nick Saban is in the lead, leaving another uphill battle for UT.

Damon Owens 

  • Ratings: Three-star (Unanimous)
  • Size: 6’2″ 220 pounds
  • Hometown: Brentwood, Tenn.
  • High School: Ravenwood

This in-state prospect has Tennessee football in his top six. Given his size, Damon Owens could play all four linebacker spots, and there are no favorites on the Rivals Future Cast or 247Sports Crystal Ball to land him yet. As a result, the Vols should pursue him heavily, and he appears to be undervalued considering what Jeremy Pruitt values in his linebackers.

Miles Capers

  • Ratings: Three-star (247Sports); Two-star (Rivals)
  • Size: 6’4″ 215 pounds
  • Hometown: Sumter, S.C.
  • High School: Sumter

Although he is only a two-star on one service, the Vols are clearly targeting Miles Capers out of South Carolina. There are no favorites to land him right now either on the Rivals Future Cast or the 247Sports Crystal Ball, and UT is in his top 10. As a result, they could be in serious play for him.

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