Tennessee Football Recruiting: 2023 Recruiting Class Superlatives

A monumental step forward on the field translated into a huge step forward on the recruiting trail for Tennessee football. The Volunteers signed 24 signatures during the early signing period, which officially ended last Friday.

It was pretty uneventful for Tennessee fans. While the volunteers didn’t get a shocking twist, they also didn’t lose any of the commitments they made on their way to ESP. In the new era of NIL and other recruitment companies, that is an achievement in itself.

The high school class is largely finished. Signings in February will be minimal and will likely include recommended walking orders and other warnings. The 24 signees and one commitment are all from the 2023 class.

That means it’s time to recruit the superlatives of our class! To look back, here we had something to say from last years class.

Probably to Redshirt

Our pick: ATH Trevor Duncan

Duncan used to be a blue chip commit, but he fell in the recent rankings. I think part of it is confusion about what his final position in college will be. At 6-foot-5 and 277 pounds, he’s got some real flexibility in his game. He could project at every spot on both lines and maybe even tight end. There’s a lot of potential here, but he needs some time in the program to figure out where his skill set fits.

Second place: OT Vysen Lang

Likely to play early

Our pick: CB Jordan Matthews

You could really consider Matthews and Gibson interchangeable. The situation in the Tennessees secondary is well known right now and the Volunteers are looking for any help they can get. I think it’s inevitable that on sheer talent and probabilities, one of these guys will at least make the rotation when the season starts. They both have some pretty enticing potential and it would be a dream for staffs to have both playing by the end of the season.

Second place: CB Rickey Gibson

Most underrated

Our pick: OT Shamurad Umarov

I am exiting the combined investments in this category.

Umarov is currently the No. 288 player and No. 26 tackle in the 247Sports Composite. He is much higher in the 247Sports rankings, ranked 107th nationally and 13th in tackles.

And yet, I’m almost ready to argue that even the latter is still low.

I just don’t pump sunshine. The Umarov tape is excellent and he has the best technique in the entire class. I’m not saying I’m doing a better job than the others, but personally I’d like him close to the top 50. He is a very good player who will play sooner or later.

Second place: LB Jeremiah Telander

Most likely to change places

Our pick: DL Nathan Robinson

Robinson is listed as an edge player right now, but I’m not sure his best value is on the defensive line. If he played defensive line, he would probably be more of a Tyler Baron role. I think he might eventually move to the offensive line and become an inside linebacker. He got some really nice size and power to his game that I think works a little better on the offensive side of the ball.

Second place: OL Ayden Bussell

The best win of the cycle

Our pick: QB Nicholaus Iamaleava

It’s almost easy to forget the shock and awe that occurred when Tennessee landed in Iamaleava. It was gigantic. The Volunteers hadn’t signed a quarterback of his caliber in decades. He had every elite program in the country coming after him. With some reported NIL help and a dynamite offense, the Volunteers landed him early. He was the commitment that got the college football world’s attention: Tennessee didn’t mess around.

Second Place: ATH Cam Seldon

The biggest question mark

Our pick: ATH Cam Seldon

This is not a question mark about his talent or anything like that. I think it’s just a matter of where he plays. Seldon, at the same time, is too talented to stay off the field, but also may not be fully ready for big time use in the SEC. Is he a runner? He’s kind of built like one, and he’s an electric ball in his hands. But that room is kind of crowded with veteran options in front of it. Is he a wide receiver? He could definitely be an All-SEC type slot, but again, there’s a lot of talent at that position as well. I could even see Seldon on defense. He’s quick and long enough to look at cornerback or safety. I really don’t know where Seldon reflects best. That is up to Tennessees staff.

Second place: DL Nathan Robinson

The largest riser

Our pick: WR Nathan Leacock

I have to own this. When Tennessee first got Leacock committed, I kind of thought of him as a floor raiser. As in the past, I didn’t think he would be the head of the wide receiver class, and even more so I viewed him as a prospect who would add depth to the roster.

Leacock went ahead and destroyed this analysis. He had an incredible senior season and showed his growth as a player. The ratings services quickly noticed and gave him the credit he deserved. On signing day, Leacock was among the top 100 players in the country. His combination of size and speed gives him skills that I’m not sure are on the roster right now. This could turn into one of those commitments that we look back on and go on Wow, I can’t believe they were lucky enough to get him to commit so early.

Second place: DL Tyree Weathersby