Jeremy Pruitt said on National Signing Day this year that Tennessee wasn’t done adding players to their 2018 recruiting class. Fast forward nearly two months later, and his words have rung true.
Kenneth George Jr., a junior college cornerback in the 2018 class, tweeted out late Saturday night that he would be joining Tennessee. George played for Trinity Valley Community College in Texas this past year. He’s not rated by Rivals.com or 247Sports, but he was looked at by several college and seemed to be heading to Nebraska. But a late change, likely due to the Cornhuskers’ class filling up, sent him to the Vols instead.
Committed #GoVolvs ?? @UTCoachTFair @CoachYACJohnson pic.twitter.com/ot1TTwAWHy
— Kenneth George Jr (@kennethgeorgejr) March 25, 2018
George, who’s around 6-foot, 190 pounds, will be on Tennessee’s roster for the 2018 season, but it remains unclear if he’ll count towards the Vols’ 2018 signing class numbers or for the 2019 class. If he counts against the 2019 class (which seems more likely), then he’ll be a blueshirt player.
A look at George’s film shows off his physicality and solid ball skills. He makes good reads on quarterbacks and is very adept in man coverage. His film doesn’t show him playing a ton of press coverage, and he’s not likely going to be able to rely on his speed to recover if he messes up. He’s not slow, but he’s not a burner either. But he does tackle extremely well and can play the run effectively too.
Last season for Trinity Valley, George totaled 27 tackles, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups according to NJCAA.org.
The Vols could use more experienced depth at corner for this upcoming season. Right now, Tennessee mostly has sophomores and inexperienced juniors at the position. Tyler Byrd is moving to the secondary from wide receiver, but according to Pruitt he may be best suited to play safety instead of corner.
George likely won’t be a star for the Vols or even a starter, but he’ll bring something the Vols lack at the position, and that’s collegiate experience. Even if it is just in the junior college ranks, it’s something.
