Jeremy Pruitt and his assistant coaches are changing how Tennessee’s offense and defense work for the foreseeable future. And because of that, Pruitt and his staff are going after different types of players in recruiting than the previous staff. The Vols are looking at physical receivers, big running backs, versatile linebackers, bigger defensive and offensive linemen, and more flexible defensive backs.
And on Saturday, the Vols’ new coaching staff offered two players who fit those new molds.
Tennessee sent out an offer to four-star wide receiver Dylan Wright and four-star linebacker Kalen DeLoach on Saturday. Both sent out tweets shortly after picking up their respective offers from the Vols.
Blessed to receive an offer from Tennessee ?‼???#GoVols @CoachYACJohnson @SuperK_TFB @MikeRoach247 @truebuzzgroup pic.twitter.com/2iEdQxgmGN
— Dman? (@DeunteWright) February 18, 2018
Extremely blessed to receive an offer from The University of Tennessee @CoachPruitt_UT @CoachZoller @IAMWHAZ90 @DemetricDWarren @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/v5IfXBmJg9
— Kalen Deloach (@KalenDeloach) February 18, 2018
Wright is the No. 181 overall player and No. 34 receiver in the 2019 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He plays for West Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas. Wright holds offers from some of the top college football programs in the country. Tennessee joins the race for his commitment along with schools like Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, LSU, Texas A&M, Texas, and a plethora of others.
At 6-foot-3, 192 pounds, Wright is already a coveted receiver in the 2019 class because of his size and soft hands. His highlight film shows off his ability to catch tough passes, leap above defenders, and use his physicality to outmaneuver corners and break free from tackles. He’s also a physical blocker on the edge when setting screens or blocking for run plays.
Though he’s not the fastest receiver around, he has the frame and physicality that will help him transition well to college. He needs to add some more weight in his senior year and once he gets to college, but his skill set already bodes well for the future. As a junior, wright caught 32 passes for 545 yards and seven scores according to Max Preps.
DeLoach plays for Islands High School in Savannah, Georgia and is the No. 188 overall player and No. 17 player in the state of Georgia according to 247Sports. Florida State offered him the same day as Tennessee, and Alabama offered him earlier this month. He also holds offers from Clemson, Auburn, LSU, and others.
His highlight film displays his versatility and athleticism. DeLoach plays both inside and outside linebacker for Islands, and he’s even a capable running back and pass catcher on offense. He’s an extremely fast linebacker who is disruptive and a sure tackler. His time on offense helps his awareness on defense, and it shows. DeLoach is very agile and instinctive, and the ball carrier rarely escapes his grasp.
At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, DeLoach will need to bulk up once in college. But his athleticism serves him well now and will at the next level, and his tenacity will also help him.
Both Wright and DeLoach also play basketball for their respective schools, and both are powerful athletes.
Linebacker will always be a top priority while Pruitt is head coach, and wide receiver figures to be a need for the Vols in the 2019 class. Expect players like Wright and DeLoach to be big targets for the Vols in this class.
