The Volunteers added an active linebacker recruit.
Tennessee picked up a verbal commitment from an excellent player Wednesday, as linebacker Shanon Reid pledged to the Volunteers. He chose the Vols after receiving more than 25 scholarship offers, including from the likes of LSU and Michigan.
Reid, a four-star recruit by 247sports and a three-star on the composite scale, plays for Fort Myers (Fla.) Dunbar High School.
I’ve seen Reid play more than a handful of times, and in a talented state, Reid was often the best player on the field. As a senior, he totaled 117 tackles, including 69 solo tackles.
He has solid size at 6’1.5, 209 pounds. Reid is an active linebacker who loves to hit and shows off great instincts to sniff out plays. When he does, he pulls the pin and gets after it. Reid has good balance and maintains tackling position so that he does not get juked. He also has good ball skills, playing tight end and, in the red zone, receiver.
Reid is also an early enrollee.
Why Tennessee?
“The environment of the school, and the community put Tennessee on top,” Reid said. “I know some people up there, and it is closer to home than some.”
Reid was also really impressed by the Tennessee “Vol for Life,” and Big Brother programs. He described it as the school helping players to identify their skills, put resumes together, and get them in front of prospective employers at athlete-specific career fairs and networking opportunities.
Reid said his best relationships are with tight ends coach Larry Scott, and linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen. Scott is known to recruit very well in South Florida.
He is excited to have his recruitment over and to enroll at Tennessee in January. Reid does not plan to take any more visits.
Who finished second?
Interestingly, despite interest from Michigan and LSU down the stretch, Reid says Iowa State finished second for him. Reading the tea leaves, it seems that while the Wolverines and Tigers were interested, the Volunteers and Cyclones made him a real priority. Butch Jones’ in-home visit after Reid’s visit to LSU helped to seal the deal.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Tennessee’s class has 25 commitments, including five four- and five-star players.