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Tennessee has playing time to sell and an aggressive staff.
ATLANTA — A staff of aggressive recruiters combined with the hype of a coaching change, plus the promise of early playing time can be a great recipe on the recruiting trail. It looks like that is what is happening at Tennessee. I chatted with several prospects and other recruiting analysts this weekend at the Under Armour Atlanta camp, and that was the common refrain.
Tennessee just went 0-8 in the SEC for the first time ever. It can tell recruits that the players on its roster can’t play, and be believable. And while Tennessee has signed a number of talented prospects in recent years, it’s pretty easy to sell the idea that they haven’t been developed, and can easily be beaten out for playing time.
One prospect I expect to pick Tennessee is four-star Marietta (Georgia) receiver Ramel Keyton, who I interviewed before the event. Tennessee is also making moves with Madison (Alabama) Bob Jones cornerback Jaydon Hill.
Below, you’ll find recruiting notes with some of the nation’s top prospects, gathered from speaking with them, coaches, and industry insiders.
Lagranga (Ga.) four-star linebacker King Mwikuta says he is “1,000 percent” committed to the Tide, but still takes calls from coaches who recruited him before joining Alabama’s class “out of respect for them.” Mwikuta wants to be a radiologist. He is intent on getting Alabama’s class back to the top.
“I’m trying to get as many stars as I can,” Mwikuta said. “Georgia has the No. 1 class last year, and I want that this year at Alabama again. My top 3 targets are Trikweze Bridges, Nolan Smith, and Treyvon Walker.”
Of the three, Bridges seems like the most likely to join Alabama’s class, since Smith is committed to and recruits hard for Georgia, and Walker is expected to pick Georgia.
Daphne (Ala.) four-star cornerback Christian Williams is feeling more love from Alabama since he committed to the Tide.
“It feel like more support, I’m meeting more players and commits,” Williams said.
But he still plans to fully play out the recruiting process and take all his visits.
“I want to take all five of my official visits,” Williams said, adding that he has not told Alabama of his plans.
LSU and Auburn are candidates to be visited in the fall.
“I think I’m going to go back and visit LSU, because when I visited, my parents didn’t go with me.”
Forest Park (Ga.) four-star defensive end Justin Eboigbe is hearing from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee.
“I want to get down to Florida and spend time with coach [Dan] Mullen and coach [John] Hevesy, who recruited me at Mississippi State,” Eboigbe said.
He has a good relationship with Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner.
“He has coached guys who have played on the highest level, and he can develop you,” Eboigbe said of Garner. “He plays attention to every guy, no matter if it’s a scholarship (player) or a walk-on.”
Eboigbe also has an existing relationship with Alabama coach Craig Kuligowski, from Kuligowski’s time at Miami.
He is also impressed with Tray Scott, the defensive line coach at Georgia.
“Coach Scott is a good young guy who had success last year and will in the future.”
Eboigbe plans to make his decision after his senior season.
Five schools are standing out to Twin City (Ga.) Emmanuel County Institute defensive lineman Curtis Fann: Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, and South Carolina.
South Carolina (where this author believes Fann will sign) impressed him on his visit two weeks ago, and he was wearing a Gamecocks chain during the event.
“I have a great relationship with Coach Muschamp, Coach Thompson, Coach T-Rob,” Fann said. “They want me to play outside on first and second down, and move inside on third down.”
Fann is also interested in Florida State, and will visit the Seminoles on April 28. Fann says that Florida State likes him as a jumbo defensive end.
“I have a good relationship with Coach Snyder and Coach Odell,” Fann said.
According to Fann, Georgia has picked up their recruitment of him. He says they want him as an outside linebacker, which is surprising because Fann looks like a cross between a defensive end and tackle.
“They’ve stepped it up,” Fann said. “My relationship with Coach Lanning is just building because he just got there.”
Fann also praised his relationship with Auburn’s Kevin Steele.
“He wants me to come in and be an All-American.”
Fann isn’t sure when he’ll make a decision, or if he’ll enroll early.
Quickly
- I expect Loganville (Ga.) Grayson defensive back Kenyatta Watson II to pick Texas. He’s showing improved press coverage technique this year.
- Look out for Florida State in the recruitment of Savannah (Ga.) Islands linebacker Kalen Deloach. Linebacker is one of the few positions in Tallahassee where early playing time is almost a certainty. He is very athletic.
- Keep an eye on offensive tackle Brevyn Jones, of Birmingham (Ala.) Huffman. Jones’ top offer right now is Tulane, but he’ll be camping at LSU and Vanderbilt. He has family in Louisiana and would like to get back.
- Roswell (Ga.) linebacker Tyron Hopper moved well at the event. I expect him to pick Florida over South Carolina next month.
- Expect Lagrange (Ga.) Troup County 2020 receiver Kobe Hudson to pick Auburn on Friday when he commits. That should have Auburn fans excited, as Hudson is one of the better athletes in his class.
- 2020 offensive linemen Broderick Jones, of Lihtonia (Ga.) and Paul Tchio, of Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton were both impressive at the event. Jones is an a freaky athlete who, if he continues to develop, could be a No. 1 pick. He’s that impressive combination of size (6’6, 280), length, and athleticism. Alabama and Georgia are teams to watch for both.
- I’ve mentioned Suwanne (Ga.) North Gwinnett’s Josh Downs in previous editions of the Crootletter, but he just shows out at every event. Because he isn’t huge or freakishly athletic, Downs might not get the recruiting love he deserves until later in the 2020 cycle, but I am confident he’s going to be a good college player.