The line of scrimmage is pivotal to a team’s success in college football. Tennessee learned that the hard way during the 2017 season on both sides of the ball. New Vol head coach Jeremy Pruitt has seen firsthand how dominating the line of scrimmage can turn the tide of games while he was at Alabama. And he understands the importance of having a good front seven.
Pruitt and his staff have made finding solid front seven players one of their top priorities in recruiting since taking over at Tennessee. And on Tuesday, they extended an offer to another highly-rated defensive lineman.
Braedon Mowry, a defensive end out of Katy, Texas, tweeted out on Tuesday that he had picked up a scholarship offer from the Vols. Tennessee became the 16th school to offer him.
Extremely blessed to have received an offer from the University of Tennessee #GBO ? pic.twitter.com/Y3ScgB6G5e
— Braedon Mowry (@BMowry2k19) January 30, 2018
Mowry is rated as a four-star defensive end and the No. 295 overall player in the 2019 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. They have him ranked as the No. 20 weakside defensive end in the class. He holds offers from Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas, Arkansas, and others.
At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, Mowry has the frame to add more weight if he wants to play defensive end in college, but he also has the athleticism to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. But from his film, it looks like his highest ceiling might be at end, so he’ll have to hit the weight room hard once he arrives in college.
Mowry’s highlight film displays his explosiveness and athleticism. He has a great burst off the line of scrimmage and plays aggressively. He can be a little wild at times because of that energy, but you’d rather a lineman have that than have to try and teach it to him. He’s disruptive and knows how to use his 6-foot-4 frame.
Though there are no recorded stats from his junior season yet, Mowry totaled 68 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and four sacks as a sophomore according to Max Preps. He also had 17 quarterback hurries, four pass break-ups, and a forced fumble.
It’s also worth noting that Mowry played with 2018 defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia the last few seasons. Ogbonnia is a three-star tackle who the Vols have been targeting in the 2018 recruiting cycle.
The Vols will need plenty of versatile athletes in their 3-4 defensive scheme, and Mowry should fit in nicely should he choose to commit to Tennessee.
