This will be Tennessee’s final weekend to host members of the 2015 recruiting class before National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 4th. While most of this weekend’s visitors are currently committed to Tennessee, the Vols still have some work left to be done on prospects like Kendall Bussey, Justin Martin and Preston Williams to make sure that there are no surprises on signing day.
The Vols are also hosting Memphis’ Drew Richmond in what appears to be his final official visit. After some speculation and rumors that Richmond would be splitting time this weekend between Knoxville and Tuscaloosa to visit both teams, it now looks as if Richmond will be spending the entire weekend in Knoxville accompanied by his parents – a huge development as the Vols continue to try and persuade the talented tackle to stay in state.
We will be updating this list throughout the weekend should any late additions or scratches surface, but, as of now, here’s a look at who the Vols will be hosting for official visits starting this evening:
[su_divider]
Venzell Boulware
Offensive Lineman
6-4, 290 pounds
Fairburn, Georgia (Creekside)
Top Offers
Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Miami, Ohio State
Status
Tennessee commit
Rivals.com: ★★★★
Scout.com: ★★★
247Sports: ★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
RTI Average: 3.5-stars
The Latest:
Boulware has been committed to Tennessee since August, but a visit to Ohio State last weekend may have pulled the Buckeyes back in the race for his services as signing day approaches. Tennessee’s staff will try to reaffirm Boulware’s commitment this weekend, but Ohio State isn’t likely to give up on Venzell until his papers are signed and faxed to Knoxville. This weekend is a critical one for the Vols as they attempt to secure Boulware as a member of the 2015 class.
[su_divider]
Kendall Bussey
Running Back
5’8, 192 pounds
New Orleans, LA (Isidore Newman)
Top Offers
Texas A&M, Nebraska, Mississippi State
Status
Tennessee commit
Rivals.com: ★★★★
Scout.com: ★★★
247Sports: ★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★
RTI Average: 3.25- stars
The Latest:
Similarly to Boulware, Tennessee is desperately trying to hold onto Bussey, who visited Texas A&M last week and came away very impressed with what he saw in College Station. The addition of John Kelly last week gave the Vols the class that they were looking for at running back, but that’s only if they can keep Bussey in the fold. Bussey has been committed for a little over a month and hasn’t given any indication that a flip to A&M is likely, but the Vols will need to convince him of his role this weekend on his visit to be certain he signs with Tennessee next Wednesday.
[su_divider]
Riley Lovingood
Long Snapper
6’1. 240 pounds
Hendersonville, Tenn. (Beech)
Top offers
Tennessee
Status
Tennessee commit
Rivals.com: ★★
Scout.com: ★★
247Sports: ★★
ESPN.com: ★★
RTI Average: 2-stars
The Latest:
Lovingood received an offer from the Vols on March 3rd of last year, committed five days later, and then shut down his recruitment entirely. Tennessee was looking to sign a true long snapper in this year’s class and Lovingood was their guy from day one. No drama here.
[su_divider]
Justin Martin
Cornerback
6-2, 190 pounds
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
Top offers
Tennessee, Ole Miss, South Florida
Status
Tennessee commit
Rivals.com: ★★★★
Scout.com: ★★★★
247Sports: ★★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
RTI Average: 4-stars
The Latest:
Martin committed to Tennessee on December 31st – almost immediately following the news that LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis was leaving to accept the same position at Texas A&M. Since that commitment, Martin has remained in communication with both Texas A&M and Auburn, and has taken official visits to both schools this month. Getting his final visit will be huge for the Vols, who now get the final word with Martin before he signs his letter of intent on Wednesday. Originally from Nashville, Martin has a lot of friends and acquaintances on Tennessee’s team from his high school days at Overton. The Vols will undoubtedly use that and the proximity to Martin’s family as pitches for why the talented JUCO corner should ultimately sign with Tennessee.
[su_divider]
Kyle Oliver
Tight End
6’5, 230 pounds
Murfreesboro, TN (Oakland)
Top Offers
Ole Miss, Mississppi State, Kentucky, Louisville, Duke
Status
Tennessee commit
Rivals.com: ★★★
Scout.com: ★★★
247Sports: ★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★
RTI Average: 3-stars
The Latest:
There hasn’t been much suspense in Oliver’s recruitment, and this weekend’s visit looks like nothing more than a formality for the talented in-state tight end. There has been some talk that UCLA has been trying to convince him to reconsider his commitment to Tennessee, but, seeing as how this is the only official visit he will be taking, the Bruins don’t appear to be a real threat to the Vols for Kyle’s services.
[su_divider]
Drew Richmond
Offensive Tackle
6-5, 320
Memphis, Tennessee (University School)
Top Offers
Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, LSU
Status
Ole Miss commit
Rivals.com: ★★★★★
Scout.com: ★★★★
247Sports: ★★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
RTI Average: 4.25-stars
The Latest:
Hosting in-state offensive tackle, and current Ole Miss commit, Drew Richmond, in what is likely to be his final visit before making his final decision and signing his letter of intent on Wednesday is a huge development for Tennessee. The Vols have quietly continued to recruit Richmond since his commitment to the Rebels, and their persistence has paid off in convincing him to make one final trip to Knoxville before signing day. While Ole Miss should still be considered the favorite to land him at this point, the Vols will have an opportunity to not only make up a lot of ground, but also to convince the talented offensive lineman to represent his state by wearing orange for Tennessee in 2015. The addition of Richmond would take the already great 2015 recruiting class to the next level for the Vols.
[su_divider]
Preston Williams
Wide Receiver
6’4, 200 pounds
Hampton, GA (Lovejoy)
Top Offers
Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State
Status
Tennessee commit
Rivals.com: ★★★★
Scout.com: ★★★★★
247Sports: ★★★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
RTI Average: 4.5-stars
The Latest:
The talented receiver turned Vol legend has been committed to Tennessee for over sixteen months now. And while schools like Auburn and Georgia have continued to recruit him, Williams has always maintained that he is was firmly committed to Tennessee. While the recent offensive coordinator search was of some concern to Williams at first, look for Butch jones and company to use this weekend as an opportunity to assure Williams that his future role in the offense will not be diminished when Mike Bajakian’s replacement is brought in.
[su_divider]
