Before spring practice starts, RockyTopInsider.com will take a look at 16 uncommitted prospects to watch in the 2016 recruiting cycle. Click here for the full 2016 commitment list.
B.J. Emmons
Running back – 2016 Class
5-11, 224 pounds
Morganton, N.C. (Freedom)
Other top offers
Georgia (committed), Virginia Tech, North Carolina, NC State
Status
We’re bending the rules slightly for this series. We’re looking at uncommitted prospects, but while Emmons is technically committed to Georgia, he’s indicated multiple times that he’s still looking around and could easily be considered a “soft” verbal at this point. He was in Knoxville for a recent Junior Day, making a return visit to campus after being in town during his sophomore season as well. Georgia is, obviously, the team to beat while he’s committed to the Bulldogs, but it would be fair to say UT isn’t far behind at this point with others like North Carolina also in the hunt.
Ratings
247Sports: ★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
Rivals.com: ★★★★
Scout.com: ★★★★
RTI average: 3.75-stars
How He Fits
Running back is among the top needs in the 2016 cycle for Tennessee with just two current scholarship backs (Jalen Hurd, Alvin Kamara) on campus. More help will be on the way this summer in terms of adding depth, but the Vols are looking for more help and ultimately the next “featured” back because Hurd and/or Kamara may not stick around for their full eligibility.
Emmons is a great combination of power, athleticism and balance. Watch his junior film and you’ll see him running through tackles and then accelerating away from others. Production certainly isn’t an issue. He had 431 yards and six touchdowns in the final game of his senior season. Expect the Vols to take at least a couple backs in the 2016 class, and they’d love for Emmons to be one of those.
Video
