1. Quay Walker
The Vols already have one of the top outside linebackers in the 2018 class committed to them. But they are targeting another highly-rated outside linebacker, and they need to pull out all the stops to ensure he signs with them.
Quay Walker is a composite four-star linebacker who was recently given a fifth star in the regular 247Sports rankings. He’s the No. 2 outside linebacker in the 2018 cycle, and Tennessee would love if he would join No. 3 outside linebacker J.J. Peterson in their 2018 class. Walker is currently committed to Alabama, but most believe that commitment is just waiting to be broken.
Walker visited the Vols back on January 12th, and he’s been impressed with Tennessee ever since Jeremy Pruitt was hired as head coach. Peterson has been a strong peer recruiter for the Vols, and both hail from Georgia. Walker holds offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Miami, and others.
Tennessee has linebackers on the roster who will be capable of playing in Pruitt’s 3-4 defensive scheme. But while the linebackers currently on the roster can play in that system, most of them don’t project to be actual play-makers like Tennessee’s new defense needs. Walker does project to be a big play-maker, however, and he could potentially start as a freshman for the Vols. That kind of instant impact player can’t be taken for granted, and the Vols need to add him in order to have a foundation piece for their defense for the next couple years.
