Tennessee football adds elite in-state 2024 DB Kaleb Beasley

Success on the field continues to translate to success on the recruiting trail, and Tennessee football picked up its second elite skill player for 2024 within a week of beating the Alabama Crimson Tide. This time, they added an in-state prospect who addresses a huge need.

Kaleb Beasley, a four-star defensive back across the board out of Nashville, became UT’s fourth commitment for 2024. He follows four-star wide receiver Mazeo Bennett of South Carolina, who committed to the Vols on Sunday.

Standing between 6’0″ and 6’1″ while weighing in the range of 175 to 180 pounds, Bennett is listed as a cornerback on every service. The prospect out of Lipscomb Academy in Davidson County, Tenn., announced his commitment to Tennessee football after his team’s win Friday night.

It’s no secret that defensive back is an issue Josh Heupel needs to shore up over the next couple of years, and Beasley could play a huge role in that. The Vols do have six defensive backs and two athletes committed for next year, but they need even more depth.

A clear problem with this team is no No. 1 cornerback. That they are undefeated with four top 25 wins despite that issue is a testament to how elite of a coach Heupel is, and it’s scary to think about just how good they could be with that deficiency addressed.

Beasley is actually the first defensive back committed to Rocky Top for 2024. He plays on both side of the ball at the high school level. Current UT linebacker Aaron Beasley is his cousin. Here is a look at his highlight reel.

As you can see, Beasley is physical, has great instincts for the ball, is great at closing, and most importantly, can recover even after getting beat on the first step. That last strength may not fully translate to the SEC given the speed of those receivers, but it’s a good start.

What’s most important is Tennessee football is getting a head start on the 2024 class, and Heupel has the Vols keeping kids in-state once again. The potential of this program is now through the roof, and last week’s win may be a changing of the guard in the SEC.