The Vols found the help they’ve been looking for at running back with the commitment of four-star RB Carlin Fils-aime on Thursday morning.
As of today, I am a Tennessee commit. #govols #VolNation
— Carlin Fils-aime (@cboystunna3) July 30, 2015
One of the fastest backs in the 2016 class, Fils-aime, is ranked as the No. 11 running back in the 2016 class by the 247Sports Composite ranking. He visited Tennessee last Thursday and came away impressed – enough so that the Vols instantly jumped into his top three and then became his choice a week later. Auburn, Miami and UNC are among the other programs that have been pursuing him.
“Just the feeling of hanging out with the coaches (at Tennessee) and the people they surround themselves with, I knew,” Fils-aime said of his college choice, to NaplesNews.com. “I love talking with Coach (Butch) Jones. He’s hysterical.”
The Naples, Fla., native, who missed most of the 2014 season with an ankle injury, has also regularly spoken about his relationship with UT running backs coach Robert Gillespie as a big reason for his interest in UT.
Coach @UTCoachG and I just hanging #UT19 #Tennessee pic.twitter.com/Y3xjkOUcJO
— Carlin Fils-aime (@cboystunna3) July 23, 2015
Here’s the complete RTI profile for Fils-aime:
Running back – 2016 Class
5-11, 175 pounds
Naples, Fla. (Naples HS)
Other top offers
Auburn, Miami, UNC, Georgia, Florida
Status
Tennessee’s search for a running back in the 2016 class has taken some twists and turns, and Fils-aime is a name that has emerged later in the summer more and more. He’s listed the Vols in his top five and has said that Tennessee RBs coach Robert Gillespie is a big reason he’s high on the Vols. Tennessee got him on campus in late July, solidifying itself as a contender for the talented and speedy back from southern Florida. Committed to Tennessee on July 30.
Ratings
Rivals.com: ★★★
Scout.com: ★★★★
247Sports: ★★★
ESPN.com: ★★★★
RTI Average: 3.5-stars
How He Fits
Speed, speed, speed…South Florida-area players are known for it, and Fils-aime certainly has it. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands – regularly separating from defenders with what his Hudl profile says is 4.42 40-yard dash speed.
Though he runs with good power for his size, one big question about him is if he can be a featured back at the SEC at his current weight. The answer to that might be no at his current size, but if he can bulk up a little bit, he could certainly be a difference maker at this level and would be a nice compliment to a bigger back as well.
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