Linebackers are a pivotal part of Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 defensive scheme, and the Vols will need talented and versatile linebackers on their roster moving forward if they want any sort of success on defense. And they’re making good progress on one of their top targets at outside linebacker in the 2019 class.
Kalen DeLoach is a four-star outside linebacker out of Savannah, Georgia in the 2019 class, and Tennessee only recently offered him back on February 17th. But the Vols have apparently done enough in less than two months since offering him to make a big impact on DeLoach because he included Tennessee in his list of finalists moving forward in his recruitment.
Top 9 schools‼‼ pic.twitter.com/2toRKarM5m
— Kalen Deloach (@KalenDeloach) April 11, 2018
The Vols have made quite a bit of headway with the talented DeLoach over the last couple months since offering him. He unofficially visited Tennessee back on March 17th and now has them as one of his top schools. He’s also visited Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina since the Vols have offered him.
According to 247Sports, DeLoach is a four-star and the No. 243 overall player in the 2019 class. They also have him ranked as the 16th-best outside linebacker and No. 25 player in the state of Georgia. The composite rankings have him as a four-star as well, but he’s rated a little lower by that metric, coming in at No. 367 overall and No. 24 among outside linebackers.
Along with the teams in his top nine, he also holds offers from Notre Dame, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, and Kentucky among others.
DeLoach’s 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. His versatility is likely one of the biggest draws for Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee’s coaching staff.
The Vols don’t currently have any linebackers committed in their 2019 class, but they’re likely to add two or three in this class. And DeLoach figures to be one of their top targets there.
