With the recruiting dead period officially over, Tennessee is scheduled to host eight prospects in Knoxville this weekend for official visits – the first of three potential visitor weekends between now and National Signing Day on February 4th. While most of this weekend’s visitors are already committed to Tennessee (six, to be exact), there are a couple of uncommitted prospects at key positions that the Vols are looking to add to their already strong 2015 class.
Below is the list of which prospects expected be in town this weekend, though visit lists are always subject to change. We’ll update this article and Twitter (@RockyTopInsider) if it does. Be sure to click on their name to view their RTI recruiting profile.
Not surprisingly, unofficial recruiting coordinator Kahlil McKenzie has confirmed the list and will undoubtedly be leading the charge in helping recruit all the players on the visit.
We finna be live this weekend @ommy_townsend @Dedicated_2Work @AustinZSmith24 @qpicou9 @Marques_Ford @gullyboyjonezy @D1JohnKelly
— Kahlil McKenzie Jr. (@Kahlil_Mckenzie) January 14, 2015
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Marques Ford
Defensive End
6-3, 220 pounds
Gibsonton, Fla. (East Bay)
Top Offers
Clemson, Miami, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Arkansas,
Status
Tennessee commit
The talented speed-rushing defensive end really shined at the recent Under Armour All-American Game where his speed and athleticism caught everyone by surprise. He looks a lot like current Vol DE Curt Maggitt rushing off of the edge, and having the opportunity to watch and learn from Maggitt and DL coach Steve Stripling in 2015 should help speed up his development.
Rivals.com: ★★★
Scout.com: ★★★★
247Sports: ★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
RTI Average: 3.5-stars
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Sheriron Jones
Dual-Threat Quarterback
6’3, 195 pounds
Moreno Valley, Calif. (Rancho Verde)
Top Offers
Arizona, Arizona State, Florida, Nebraska
Status
Tennessee commit
Tennessee’s newest member of the 2015 class – and highest rated prospect at his position – will be making his first trip to Knoxville since early June. Jones actually committed to Florida shortly after his first visit to Tennessee, but the Vols look like they’ll be able to hang on to him this time around, as they are the only school that will receive an official visit.
Rivals.com: ★★★★
Scout.com: ★★★★
247Sports: ★★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
RTI Average: 4-stars
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John Kelly
Athlete
5’10 190 pounds
Oak Park, Michigan (Oak Park)
Top Offers
Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Tennessee
Status
Uncommitted
One of two uncommitted prospects visiting this weekend, Kelly is a high-priority player for this staff. The coaches are looking to add another running back to the 2015 class, and Kelly is among their top targets at the position. Tennessee will have to fight of Michigan, Michigan State and Minnesota to land Kelly, but getting him to Knoxville for an official visit is a huge step in the right direction.
Rivals.com: ★★★
Scout.com: ★★★
247Sports: ★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★
RTI Average: 3 stars
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Kahlil McKenzie
Defensive Tackle
6-4, 340 pounds
Concord, California (Clayton Valley Charter)
Top Offers
Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas
Status
Tennessee commit
Tennessee’s centerpiece of the 2015 class will be on campus for the final time before enrolling this summer, and you can bet he’ll be doing a bit of recruiting of his own while he’s here. McKenzie is quite possibly the most solidly committed player in Tennessee history and this weekend is little more than a formality for the Vol legacy.
Rivals.com: ★★★★★
Scout.com: ★★★★★
247Sports: ★★★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
RTI Average: 4.75-stars
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Quay Picou
Defensive Tackle
6’3, 285 pounds
Buford, GA (Buford)
Top Offers
Miami, Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas A&M, Ohio State
Status
Tennessee commit
Picou and teammate Austin Smith will be making their fourth trip to Knoxville of the year, but the first since winning the Georgia AAAA State Championship as members of Buford High School’s outstanding defense. Picou and Smith have been committed to Tennessee since June.
Rivals.com: ★★★
Scout.com: ★★★
247Sports: ★★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★
RTI Average: 3.25-stars
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Quart’e Sapp
Linebacker
6-2, 200 pounds
Alpharetta, Ga. (Milton)
Top offers
Miami, Texas A&M, Clemson, Florida State, Tennessee
Status
Uncommitted
Is this the weekend that Quart’e Sapp finally commits to the Vols? Does Tennessee have room in the class to add another linebacker? All of these questions will be answered soon enough, but it’s hard to imagine the coaches electing to have Sapp on campus this late in the process if they weren’t still actively recruiting him.
Rivals.com: ★★★★
Scout.com: ★★★★
247Sports: ★★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
RTI Average: 4-stars
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Austin Smith
Linebacker
6’3, 225 pounds
Suwanee, Ga (Buford)
Top Offers
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Miami
Status
Tennessee commit
Projecting Smith at the next level isn’t easy. His versatility, toughness and speed open up a lot of options for Smith on Tennessee’s defense in the future. Much like his teammate, Quay Picou, Smith would likely be rated much higher if not for playing on one of the best high school defenses in the country. Buford’s depth and scheme makes it hard for any one player to shine, but Tennessee is getting two very talented players.
Rivals.com: ★★★
Scout.com: ★★★
247Sports: ★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★
RTI Average: 3-stars
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Tommy Townsend
Punter
6-1, 175 pounds
Orlando, Florida (Boone)
Top Offers
Baylor, Colorado, Tennessee
Status
Tennessee commit
With Matt Darr graduating, Tennessee needs immediate help at punter and Tommy Townsend appears to be their best option. While punters rarely garner 4 or 5-star rankings, rest assured that Townsend is one of the best punters in the 2015 class. With Butch jones success in motivating kickers and punters, it isn’t impossible to see Townsend growing into a 4-year starter at the position.
Rivals.com: ★★★
Scout.com: ★★★
247Sports: ★★
ESPN.com: ★★★
RTI Average: 2.75-stars
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