Joshua Josephs
(DE)  North Cobb HS in Kennesaw, GA  
6’3″    215
Committed: 11/22/21
4-star average (4-star on 247Sports, 3-star on Rivals & ESPN)

Josh Ward’s Analysis:  Josephs is one of the most important players in Tennessee’s class. The Vols need players who can help rush the passer; Josephs should help in that area. Let’s see how Tennessee’s coaches use him, but one thing seems sure: they want him to go get the quarterback.

Eric Cain’s Analysis:  Picking the Vols over Kentucky and Michigan, Josephs is a true ‘LEO’ and can shine down the line when weight is added. He’s great off the edge with speed and physical while taking on blockers. Josephs is good outside of the box as well, hauling in several interceptions his junior campaign. Tennessee needs LEOs, so Josephs is a big-get. He just needs a couple of strong offseasons in the weight program. 

Player Profile:  Talented, lengthy edge rusher from North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia … Rated a four-star prospect and a top-15 edge rusher in the country by both 247Sports and On3.com … The No. 71 overall prospect and No. 8 player from Georgia according to On3 … Tabbed No. 165 nationally and No. 15 among edge rushers by 247Sports … Listed by ESPN.com and Rivals as a three-star prospect … The No. 23 edge rusher in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite … Has a verified 82-inch wingspan … Led his high school to two consecutive Region 3 championships and was a team captain … As a senior, tallied 104 tackles and six sacks as the leader of a defense that allowed only 17.5 points per game … Racked up 98 tackles with seven tackles for loss and four sacks his junior season … Received all-state and all-county first team defensive honors in 2020 … Committed to the Vols in November 2021 … Chose Tennessee over 26 other Division I offers, including five other SEC programs … Coached by Shane Queen … Twitter handle is @joshuajosephs2 … Instagram handle is @k4lebe.

Elijah Herring
(LB)   Riverdale HS in Newnan, GA         
6’2″    225
Committed: 4/14/21
3-star average (3-star on 247Sports, Rivals & ESPN)

Josh Ward’s Analysis:  Herring is a versatile athlete who should immediately add depth on defense. Let’s see how much weight Herring adds in college. He could play multiple roles at linebacker for the Vols.

Eric Cain’s Analysis:  Josh Heupel’s first ‘true’ commit as Tennessee’s head coach has a chance to be a solid under-the-radar player down the line. He’ll need to work on his mechanics and taking on blockers at this level, but he’s got good size and that should only improve. He’s a smart player who can move well. Might get a look on the edge at some point, but will start off in the middle – a position of critical need for the Volunteers. 

Player Profile:  Physical and athletic in-state linebacker and disruptive pass rusher originally from Georgia who played his final two prep seasons at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee … Rated a consensus three-star recruit by all major recruiting services … The No. 21 player in the state of Tennessee according to 247Sports Composite … The No. 13 player in the state and the No. 46 rated linebacker in the nation by 247Sports.com … Tabbed the No. 10 player in the Tennessean’s 2021 “Dandy Dozen” … Named a first-team selection for the Tennessean’s 2020 All-Midstate Team … Racked up  67 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior in 2021 … Totaled 51 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a junior in 2020 … Helped lead Riverdale High School to a 10-2 record and the second round of the TSSAA Class 6A state playoffs in 2021 … Helped the Warriors reach the quarterfinals of the Class 6A state playoffs as a junior in 2020 … Also played some wide receiver in high school, totaling 21 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown over the past two seasons … Chose Tennessee over 12 other Division I offers, including 10 from Power 5 programs … Committed to the Vols in April 2021 … Coached by Will Kriesky … Twitter handle is @ElijahHerring12 … Instagram handle is @elijaherring._.

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Marquarius White
(WR) Clay-Chalkville in Birmingham, AL 
5’10”  160
Committed: 7/8/21
3-star average (3-star on 247Sports, Rivals & ESPN)

Josh Ward’s Analysis:  White’s size won’t stand out, but his speed will. White should be a perfect fit in Josh Heupel’s offense. Several SEC schools tried to flip White late in the process, but he stuck with the Vols. Very good news for Tennessee.

Eric Cain’s Analysis:  Tennessee had to battle for this one to the very end, holding off Georgia who pushed late. White is one of four wideouts in the class and is an absolute speedster who could wreak havoc out of the slot. Strength will be important for White as he’ll often get jammed at the line of scrimmage and be meshed up with SEC linebackers. But Tennessee likes the makeup of White who could be a threat in Josh Heupel’s scheme, getting behind defenders. 

Player Profile:  A multi-sport athlete with electrifying speed at wide receiver out of Alabama … Rated a four-star prospect and the No. 7 overall player in Alabama by On3.com … A three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com … Compiled 1,162 receiving yards on 49 catches and scored 17 total touchdowns, including 16 receiving as a senior … Earned first-team All-South Metro honors in 2021 … His team won the 2021 Alabama High School Athletic Association 6A state football championship, 46-42, on Dec. 3, completing a 15-0 senior season … Also recorded a pair of interceptions during the 2021 season … Invited to the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic … Chose Tennessee over 21 Division I offers, including 16 from Power 5 schools and six SEC institutions … A sprinter on the track and field team finishing second in the 100 and 200 at the AHSAA State Championship with times of 10.68 and 21.58, respectively … Committed to the Vols in July 2021 … Coached by Drew Gilmer … Nickname is “Squirrel” … Twitter handle is @squirrelwhite3 … Instagram handle is @squirrel_white3.

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Justin Williams
(RB)  East Paulding HS in Dallas, GA
6’0”    205
Committed: 12/15/21
4-star average (3-star on Rivals & ESPN, 3-star on 247Sports)

Josh Ward’s Analysis:  Williams became a high priority for Tennessee late in the recruiting process. The former West Virginia commit visited Knoxville in November and quickly connected with UT’s staff. Look for Williams to compete for playing time as soon as he arrives on campus.

Eric Cain’s Analysis:  Tennessee gets its first major pickup on Signing Day by reeling in longtime priority target Justin Williams. The former West Virginia commit chose the Volunteers over Auburn, as that race came down to the very end. Williams is fast enough, changes directions well and will not be brought down on first contact. He’s capable of catching passes out of the backfield and is a good all-around back. He’ll need to bulk up some, but Tennessee could afford to yield some carries to Williams this fall.

Player Profile:  Talented running back with a great mix of size and speed from the Atlanta area … Rated a four-star prospect according to the 247Sports Composite, ESPN.com, Rivals.com and On3.com … Considered the No. 153 overall player and No. 11 running back prospect in the country by Rivals.com … The No. 17 rated player in the state of Georgia by On3.com … A team captain who was named the Paulding County Player of the Year as a senior in 2021 … Selected as one of Georgia’s top running backs by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution prior to the 2021 season … Was named the 2020 Region 5-6A Offensive Player of the Year as a junior … Earned Georgia Class 6A All-State Honorable Mention in 2020 … Finished his senior season with 2,116 all-purpose yards, 1,896 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns … Piled up 1,368 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior in 2020 … Also ran track in high school … Excelled off the field as well with a perfect 4.0 GPA … Chose Tennessee over 25 other Division I offers, including 18 Power 5 programs … Committed to the Vols in Dec. 2021 … Coached by Billy Shackelford … Twitter handle is @akajwill … Instagram handle is @jusstvn.

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Desmond “Dee” Williams
(DB)  East Central CC in MS via Forsyth, GA
5’11”  190
Committed: 12/6/21
3-star average (3-star on 247Sports & Rivals, not-rated on ESPN)

Josh Ward’s Analysis:  Can Williams help at cornerback right away? That’s Tennessee hope with more depth needed in the secondary. Williams will enroll in January with the chance to compete for playing time immediately.

Eric Cain’s Analysis:  The cornerback from East Central Community College is looking to come in and make an immediate impact on Tim Banks’s defense. Williams was a ballhawk at the JUCO level, leading the nation with seven interceptions. He’s a skilled returner as well, housing both a kickoff and punt this season. He’s older and experienced, so the path to the field could be a short one if he camps well. The Vols won out over Mississippi State in this one. 

Player Profile:  One of the nation’s top junior college defensive backs by way of East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi … Rated as the No. 3 cornerback and No. 8 overall junior college player by 247Sports.com … Collected seven interceptions and had 14 breakups in 2021 to earn NJCAA All-Region 23 accolades … Led the NJCAA in picks and ranked second in the nation in pass breakups as a third-year sophomore … Totaled 13 picks for his career at ECCC and made 103 tackles in 23 games played in his three seasons … Experienced in the return game, averaging 27.9 yards per kickoff return and 50.7 yards per punt return with a touchdown in each category … Returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown in a game vs. Copiah-Lincoln on Oct. 14, 2021 … Named NJCAA Player of the Week for his performance in that contest … Chose Tennessee over 12 other Division I offers … Committed to the Vols in December 2021 … Originally from Forsyth, Georgia, where he prepped at Mary Persons High School … Coached by Ken Karcher at ECCC, who worked under the late Johnny Majors from 1993-96 … Goes by “Dee” … Twitter handle is @Des_williams4 … Instagram handle is @desmondw4.

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