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Evaluating Tennessee football’s 2023 class at dead period: TEs

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mosley senior tight end Randy Pittman runs toward the play in a game during Mike Norvell’s 7v7 High School Camp on June 15, 2022, at FSU Rec SportsPlex.A03v3827
Mosley senior tight end Randy Pittman runs toward the play in a game during Mike Norvell’s 7v7 High School Camp on June 15, 2022, at FSU Rec SportsPlex.A03v3827 /

Top available targets at TE for 2023

Jelani Thurman

  • Four-star
  • 6’6″ 225-230 lbs
  • Fairburn, Ga.; Langston Hughes High School

Randy Pittman

  • Three-star
  • 6’2″; 225-230 lbs
  • Lynn Haven, Fla.; A. Crawford Mosley High School

Max Carroll (Athlete)

  • Three-star (Rivals, On3, 247Sports); Unrated (ESPN)
  • 6’2″-6’3″; 205 lbs
  • Memphis, Tenn.; Briarcrest Christian School

None of the tight ends on here have a similar profile. Jelani Thurman appears to have a similar one to Ethan Davis, so he could be another major receiving threat for Tennessee football, also helping to offset a void. Randy Pittman is that too, but given his size, he’s actually more of a clone of Princeton Fant, which may give him a better chance of committing.

Meanwhile, Max Carroll, while being an in-state player, is a versatile athlete who can play tight end, but he also plays safety. If he commits to the Vols, he would likely be a defensive back, so he’s only on here for the potential to fill a void if the coaches are just desperate.

Thurman or Pittman is the goal, and obviously, given his rating and his height, Pittman is the bigger goal. All signs point to Pittman staying within the state, but Thurman could go anywhere. It’ll be hard for UT to land either of these players, though, if we’re being honest. The ironic part is their best chance at finding a guy on this list to play tight end is the most high-profile one too.

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