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Tennessee football: Ranking position groups in Vols 2021 recruiting class with grades

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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Gordo’s Corbett McCrackin (7) sticks his hand up to block Handley’s Dylan Brooks (26). The Gordo Green Wave fell to the Handley Tigers 35-20 in the AHSAA Class 4A state championship game on Dec. 4, 2020 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. [Photo/Hannah Saad]Tus Al Gordovshandley4achampionship 12439
Gordo’s Corbett McCrackin (7) sticks his hand up to block Handley’s Dylan Brooks (26). The Gordo Green Wave fell to the Handley Tigers 35-20 in the AHSAA Class 4A state championship game on Dec. 4, 2020 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. [Photo/Hannah Saad]Tus Al Gordovshandley4achampionship 12439 /

4. Defensive line: B-

Number of signees: 4 (5 if Trinity Bell plays defensive end)

At least we are dealing with above average position units now. We don’t know what Josh Heupel will do defensively, but in this case, we’re considering edge rushers and defensive ends part of the defensive line. Given the fact that the departures, including Kivon Bennett and Deandre Johnson, are comparable, it works.

Sticking with that, Tennessee football wasn’t as good offsetting its departures. Dylan Brooks, assuming he stays, is a unanimous four-star. Byron Young, meanwhile, is a three-star. Add in the prospect of Trinity Bell playing on this side, and they somewhat offset the losses.

At defensive tackle, though, things are much different. The Vols lost Savion Williams midseason to the transfer portal. However, they added KaTron Evans, a four-star across the board, and Isaac Washington. Given how little Williams played, that is an A all the way around.

Of course, if Auburn Tigers transfer Markaviest “Big Kat” Bryant stays with the program, this grade could shoot up to an A-. However, it appears more likely he goes elsewhere and that Bell plays tight end, which forces us to just barely keep this above average given the questions among the edge rushers, especially with Brooks implying he wants out on his Twitter page.

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