Most recruiting analysts believe that the Vols have found a diamond in the rough in wide receiver Jordan Young. The Vols had him on an official visit on January 12th, offered him a scholarship on January 14th, and he committed to Tennessee on the 19th.
Young was unrated when he visited the Vols. But after Tennessee offered him and the day before he committed to the Vols, 247Sports updated his profile and made him a four-star wide receiver and a top-200 overall player in the 2018 class.
The 6-foot-3 receiver went from unranked and only holding one other FBS offer aside from the Vols to a phenom seemingly overnight. And now Tennessee could potentially have found another overlooked star.
Young’s teammate at Heritage High School in Conyers, Georgia could be another potential stud that has gone overlooked thus far. Kurott Garland is a defensive end for Heritage who has put up some gaudy numbers just like Young did. And just like Young was, Garland is currently unranked by every major recruiting service. And the Vols are his only FBS scholarship offer.
As Michael Bratton of Saturday Down South points out, Garland amassed some impressive numbers during his time in high school. But what Bratton doesn’t point out is that all those stats were earned in just a two year span.
Tennessee may have found another unheralded gem from Heritage HS. Teammate of UT WR commit Jordan Young, Kurott Garland averaged 10.9 tackles per game, 251 in HS career plus 24.5 sacks. UT is currently his only offer https://t.co/7RkmjLjCoe
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) January 21, 2018
According to Max Preps, Garland earned his 251 tackles in just two seasons. He also totaled a whopping 65 tackles for loss to go along with his 24.5 sacks. He also had 31 quarterback hurries.
And he did all that in just 23 total games.
Garland also forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles, picked off a pass, and defended three passes. The 6-foot-3, 250 pound lineman can play a number of positions. And he shows that off in his highlight film.
Garland plays nose tackle and defensive end both in his highlight tape, and he’s a disruptive force no matter what position he plays. He has excellent instincts, is a solid tackler, and possesses both power and finesse. He’s still a bit raw from a technical standpoint, but most high school players are.
Both Young and Garland have gone overlooked in the 2018 class, but both seem to be significantly better than what recruiting analysts initially thought. Tennessee landed Young in their class. Will they be able to get Garland as well? And will he see a jump in his rankings just like Young did?
Only time will tell if Garland will be the real deal, and the same is true for Young. But one thing is for certain: The Vols’ new coaching staff sees to know how to evaluate talent on the recruiting trail.
