Tennessee head football coach Jeremy Pruitt held his Day 1 Early Signing Period press conference at UT to discuss the 21 current players in the 2020 Signing Class. Watch that, in full, below.
OLB – Lake Gibson (Lakeland, FL) 6’2, 220
Committed: 12/18/19
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 4 – ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Tennessee addresses its need at pass rusher by landing Joseph, a former Florida State commit. Keeping Joseph away from rival Florida helps, too. Expect Joseph to be given a chance to help Tennessee immediately.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: A need for Tennessee could be answered in the Sunshine State product. The Vols must replace Darrell Taylor and put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Morven Joseph does just that. The edge rusher ultimately chose the Orange over both Florida State and Florida.
Highlights
Quick Facts From UT Athletics
2018 Class 6A All-State Honorable Mention
The Ledger 2018 All-County Defensive First Team
Rated No. 18 defensive end in the country according to 247 composite rankingsf
2019 Stats: 115 tackles (66 solo), 28 TFL, 13 sacks, 44 QBH, 1 FF
2018 Stats: 62 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 4 FF
Helped lead Lake Gibson to an 11-1 record and Class 6A District 9 Title in 2019
OLB – Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, TN) 6’5, 256
Committed: 12/18/19
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 4 – ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Tennessee put in a lot of work to secure Baron, who is one of the top players in the state of Tennessee and helps address a position of need. Baron makes Tennessee’s defensive line class look a lot stronger.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: What was once a position of worry now is a position of strength for Tennessee’s 2020 class. Dominic Bailey, Omari Thomas and now Tyler Baron provide instant depth early on and will play major roles in 2021 when UT loses many defensive linemen. Baron was one of the top players in the state of Tennessee and picked the Vols over Kentucky and Ohio State.
Highlights
Interview with Baron’s High School Coach Steve Matthews On SportsTalk
Group interview with Tyler Baron at Catholic HS
Quick Facts From UT Athletics
2019 No. 1 Knox News Elite Eight
Ranked No. 4 player in Tennessee and No. 7 at his position by 247Sports Composite
2019 Stats: 105 tackles, 22 TFL, 9 Sacks
2018 Stats (Ensworth HS): 46.5 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks
2018 Nashville Area Division II East/Middle All-Region Team
2020 Polynesian Bowl selection
Named the defensive line MVP of The Opening Regional in Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Brother Woody Baron played at Virginia Tech on the d-line
Led Knoxville Catholic to the DII-AAA State Quarterfinals
OL – Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, TN) 6’3, 283
Committed: 6/21/2019
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 4 – ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Mays was a priority target for Tennessee, which is thrilled to add a legacy player to the class. Mays projects to be a solid interior offensive line. Could he be the heir to the center position in 2021 after Brandon Kennedy leaves?
Eric Cain’s Analysis: Cooper Mays battled injuries the past two seasons at Knoxville Catholic and really had to work on his size over the offseason. After gaining nearly 50 pounds, Mays proved to hang with the best of them at summer camps and should be in the running for starting center should Brandon Kennedy not return. Mays can also play guard and was a playmaker on defense for the Irish – should there be a need.
Highlights
Mays’ High School Steve Matthews’ Interview on SportsTalk
Group interview with Cooper Mays on NSD at Catholic
Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Participated in Nike’s “The Opening”
No. 6 rated center in 247 composite rankings, but a versatile offensive lineman who can play several positions
Key member of Catholic’s offensive line that paved the way for 2,360 rushing yards in 2019
Helped lead Catholic to a Division I Class 5A Final Four appearance in 2019
2018 TSWA Class 5A First Team Offense
Son of former Tennessee All-SEC offensive lineman Kevin Mays
WR – Morrow (Morrow, GA) 6’0, 207
Committed: 4/13/2019
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 3 – ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Tennessee had to fight off Kentucky for Calloway, whose status as a prospect has grown over the past year. Expect Calloway to come in and help immediately at receiver. The Vols need more playmakers; Calloway can be one for Tennessee.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: Calloway was committed to Tennessee for quite some time, but it was a soft commit as he entertained other schools down to the wire. He’s quick and can stretch the field. Should be an instant addition to the receiving corps next season for Tennessee.
Highlights
Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Helped lead Morrow high school to the state playoffs for the first time in 21 years
No. 9 rated athlete in the country in 247 composite rankings
2018 All-Region 4-6A First-Team Wide Receiver
2017 Region 4-6A Offensive Player of the Year after catching 32 passes for 684 yards and eight touchdowns, while returning three kickoffs for scores
Saw time on the field for Morrow at quarterback, receiver, safety and punt returner
Also a member of Morrow’s track and field team where he has been clocked at a 10.7 in the 100-yard dash in addition to a 4.4, 40-yard dash
2018 First Team All-USA Tennessee First Team
Led Ensworth to the Tennessee Division II-AAA playoffs semifinals in 2019, totaling 37 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss
Had 766 rushing yards and seven scores as a junior in 2018
WR – Dutch Fork (Irmo, SC) 6’0, 164
Committed: 7/27/2019
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 4 – ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Hyatt is one of the players most likely to help Tennessee on the field in 2020. He has legit speed and could help fill the role left vacant with the departure of Marquez Callaway, who’s been a high level deep threat in Tennessee’s offense.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: Like Calloway, Jalin Hyatt should provide an instant impact to a position of need. He was a key piece in Dutch Fork’s state championship run and is looking forward to being coached by Tee Martin. Hyatt’s family loves Tennessee and head coach Jeremy Pruitt, but his abilities should get him on the field early in the 2020 season.
Highlights
Article on Jalin Hyatt (10-27)
Quick Facts From UT Athletics
2019 Finalist for South Carolina Mr. Football
2019 SCFCA Class 5A All-State Team
2018 All-USA South Carolina Second Team
Dutch Fork’s all-time leader in receiving yards (3,624) and receiving touchdowns (57)
Led the Silver Foxes to a No. 11 national ranking by MaxPreps in 2019
Helped lead Dutch Fork to back-to-back undefeated seasons and Class 5A State Championships in 2018 and 2019
Had three touchdown catches in the 2019 state championship game, including the game-winner in overtime, to lead the Silver Foxes to their fourth straight state title
No. 5 ranked player in South Carolina according to 247 composite rankings
Had 66 catches for 1,361 yards and 26 TDs in 2019
QB – Marietta (Marietta, GA) 6’5, 211
Committed: 11/29/2018
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 4 – ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Bailey’s future at Tennessee will make a big impact on how this class is viewed. Bailey is a big kid who helped lead his Marietta team to a state championship. He helped the Vols recruit and will compete for immediate playing time next year.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: Tennessee’s quarterback of the class, Bailey, will have the opportunity to push for playing time next season. He’s the ideal size for Jim Chaney’s offense and throws the ball with good accuracy. He also possesses some sneaky athleticism. Bailey was one of the first commits and played a vital role in the shape of the class.
Highlights
Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Led Marietta to its first state championship in over 50 years on Dec. 14 in the Georgia Class AAAAAAA in Atlanta by passing for 271 yards in the 17-9 victory
2020 All-American Bowl Selection
2019 Nike Elite 11 Finalist
2019 Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge MVP
2018 Georgia Class AAAAAAA South First Team
Passing for 4,271 yards and 44 touchdowns against just nine interceptions in 15 games in 2019, completing 69.4 percent of his passes
Finished his high school career with 11,700 passing yards to rank fourth in Georgia history and becoming one of just five Georgia players to surpass 10,000 career passing yards, joining Trevor Lawrence (13,902), Deshaun Watson (13,077), Jake Fromm (12,745) and K’Hari Lane (10,217)
Second-ranked pro-style quarterback in the country and No. 39 overall prospect according to Rivals
Consensus Top 5 national quarterback prospect
Four-year starter who also passed for 2,800 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior in 2018
DB – Whitehaven (Memphis, TN) 6’2, 199
Committed: 10/22/2019
Stars: 3 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 3 – ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: McDonald is a prospect who Tennessee sees as someone who can add weight and help at linebacker in the future. Like his Whitehaven teammates, McDonald is a good athlete who helps provide depth at a thin position.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: Tamarion McDonald – unlike his fellow Whitehaven teammates – can be utilized all over the field. He played every position for his high school team this season, excluding the interior line on both sides of the ball. He even punted. McDonald can add weight and play linebacker or Tennessee could toy with him in the defensive backfield – possibly the nickel or money position early on.
Highlights
McDonald’s interview with Jimmy Hyams
Article on Tamarion McDonald (10-1)
Quick Facts From UT Athletics
No. 40 rated outside linebacker in the country according to 247 composite rankings
2019 Memphis Commercial Appeal Dandy Dozen
2018 Commercial Appeal defensive first-team all-metro
Totaled 90 tackles, 10 TFLs, two sacks, three forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown as a junior in 2018
Selected for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game
Integral part of a Whitehaven defense that allowed just 5.4 points per game and produced seven shutouts during the 2019 season
Helped lead Whitehaven to the state semifinals in 2019 and the state title game in 2018
LB – Whitehaven (Memphis, TN) 6’2, 227
Committed: 10/22/2019
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 3 – ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: French was coveted by several SEC schools. He’ll have a chance to compete for playing time immediately at Tennessee, which has a big unknown at linebacker. The Vols felt much better about the future at linebacker when they landed the Whitehaven trio.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: The second head of the Whitehaven trio, Martavius French, has great size and good speed. He should fit right in at inside linebacker but has the ability to play outside as well. Wherever Tennessee decides to put him, French will be added value to a skeleton position group.
Highlights
French’s interview with Jimmy Hyams
Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Integral part of a Whitehaven defense that allowed just 5.4 points per game and produced seven shutouts during the 2019 season
No. 15 rated inside linebacker in the country in 247 composite rankings
2018 Region 8-6A Defensive Player of the Year
2018 TSSAA Class 6A All-State selection
2018 Memphis Commercial Appeal Defensive First Team All-Metro
Helped lead Whitehaven to the state semifinals as a senior in 2019
Helped lead Whitehaven to an appearance in the Class 6A state title game while registering 120 tackles, four forced fumbles and two interceptions as a junior in 2018
Selected for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game
LB – Whitehaven (Memphis, TN) 6’2, 270
Committed: 10/22/2019
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 3 – ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Jeremy Pruitt loves the size of Eason, who looks like a guy ready to compete for playing time. With Daniel Bituli and Darrell Taylor leaving, expect Eason to provide immediate depth at linebacker.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: Bryson Eason will ideally figure into the inside linebacker position for Tennessee – but with size of 6-foot-2, 255 pounds, he could provide depth on the outside as well. Eason was the key piece in bringing all three Whitehaven playmakers to Knoxville and should have the opportunity to play an immediate role.
Highlights
Eason’s interview with Jimmy Hyams
Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Rated No. 14 inside linebacker in the country in 247 composite rankings
2019 Memphis Commercial Appeal Dandy Dozen
2018 Commercial Appeal defensive second-team all-metro
Integral part of a Whitehaven defense that allowed just 5.4 points per game and produced seven shutouts during the 2019 season
Helped lead Whitehaven to the state semifinals as a senior in 2019
Selected for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game
