All for Tennessee
Fansided

Evaluating Tennessee football’s 2023 class at dead period: Edge rushers

By Caleb Calhoun

The Tennessee football team runs through the T during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football
The Tennessee football team runs through the T during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Top available targets at edge rusher

Rico Walker

  • Four-star
  • 6’3″-6’4″; 230-235 lbs
  • Hickory, N.C.; Hickory High School

Samuel M’Pemba

  • Five-star (Rivals); Four-star (247Sports, On3, ESPN)
  • 6’3″-6’4″; 230-255 lbs
  • Bradenton, Fla.; IMG Academy

Tausili Akana

  • Four-star
  • 6’3″-6’4″; 210-225 lbs
  • Lehi, Utah; Skyridge High School

Dylan Gooden

  • Four-star
  • 6’4″-6’6″; 200-205 lbs
  • Olney, Md.; Good Counsel High School

Jamarious Brown

  • Four-star (Rivals, ESPN, On3); Three-star (247Sports)
  • 6’3″-6’4″; 240-270 lbs
  • Moss Point, Miss.; Moss Point High School

Daniel Harris

  • Four-star (Rivals, ESPN); Three-star (247Sports, On3)
  • 6’5″-6’6″; 180-195 lbs
  • Melbourne, Fla.; Palm Bay Senior High School

Ronel Nukah

  • Three-star (Rivals, On3); Unrated (247Sports, ESPN)
  • 6’1″-6’2″; 210-240 lbs
  • Philadelphia, Pa.; Northeast High School

Building off the previous slide when analyzing commitments, edge rusher clearly has a wide range of players. That’s because they involve guys who may be more of an outside linebacker and others who may be more of a defensive end. In Tim Banks’ system, the edge rusher has to play both roles depending on what’s drawn up.

Plenty of these prospects have Tennessee football as a finalist. The Vols are in the top five for Rico Walker, the top seven for Samuel M’Pemba and the top eight for Dylan Gooden. Of those, their best chance is either with M’Pemba or Gooden, as Walker seems like a lock for the North Carolina Tar Heels at this point.

If Heupel were able to secure any of these guys, though, it would be a huge pickup, and he’s already done an impressive job on the recruiting trail. M’Pemba is probably the goal, and his Florida connections could really help on that front.

Home/Vols Football