The Tennessee Volunteers Lead the Way in 2021 SEC Recruiting

In 2018, Jeremy Pruitt took over a Tennessee team that was just 4-8 the year before. In his first season, The Volunteers went just 5-7 but last year they improved to 8-5, which included a 23-22 win over Indiana in the Gator Bowl. Tennessee should have a solid season this year but it is next year that we will focus on here.

Jeremy Pruitt is considered an excellent recruiter and that is what the Vols were hoping for when they hired him. The 2020 class is ranked 7th in the SEC, but Pruitt has worked his magic in the 2021 class, as it ranks tops in the SEC and 3rd in the nation. That’s right, they beat out Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, who are three teams that are constantly among the top three in the league. In contrast, Alabama’s 2021 class currently ranks 55th in the nation. Pruitt was a defensive coordinator at Georgia and he recruited some very solid defensive players for the Dawgs.

Tennessee has a monster class coming in next year and that could allow them to be a major factor in the SEC race. It’s about time. I’m tired of seeing the same teams at the top of the SEC standings. So far, the Vols have received 18 commitments to their 2021 class, including six of them in the last two weeks. Their big score was with 5-star recruit DE Dylan Brooks, who was the state of Alabama’s top-ranked prospect. Pruitt stole him from Saban. Another big commitment came from 5-star OLB Terence Lewis, who is the 9th best prospect in the nation overall and the top OLB in the nation. The defense was 28th in the nation in total yards and 29th in points allowed, giving up just 21.7 ppg last year and it will be good again this year, but the Vols’ defense will be downright scary in 2021.

Tennessee recently got a commitment from 4-star running back Cody Brown and he is one of four 4-star commitments. Also in this group is OT Colby Smith, WR Julian Nixon, and linebacker Aaron Willis. This class may get even better as 4-star QB Kaidon Salter will make his decision on which school and the Volunteers are reportedly the frontrunners. Tennessee also has 11 three-star players that have already committed. The Vols will be a solid team this year, but they could be headed for a possible SEC title and a playoff berth in 2021.

All player rankings have been taken from Rivals.com