All recruiting rankings via the 247Sports Composite rankings
Every big recruiting class seems to have a spark that ignites it for Tennessee. Back in 2014, it was five-star running back Jalen Hurd committing to the Vols that got things started in that class. In the 2015 class, five-star receiver Preston Williams committed early and was pivotal in helping build that class.
So could the Vols have found their catalyst for the 2019 class in Wanya Morris?
When Morris announced his commitment to the Vols on Tuesday, his pledge sent shock waves throughout the 2019 recruiting cycle. Several of Tennessee’s top targets at various positions tweeted out congratulatory messages to Morris, and others seemed ready to jump on the bandwagon with Morris.
Does that mean that Morris’s commitment will begin an avalanche of commits for Tennessee? That itself may not happen, but it’s clear that Morris caught the attention of recruits everywhere. And that should bode well for the Vols in the coming months.
Four-star wide receiver Jalen Curry was “proud” of Morris for committing to Tennessee. Curry is the No. 115 overall player and No. 23 wide receiver in the 2019 class, and he visited the Vols during the Orange & White Game.
Mann my DAWG Wanya Just committed to Tennessee. Proud of you bro????#GBO pic.twitter.com/P0myIaNetB
— Jᴀʟᴇɴ “BOOBIE” Cᴜʀʀʏ (@jc5_4lyfee) May 1, 2018
Khris Bogle, a four-star defensive end, was also excited to see Morris pledge his commitment to the Vols. Bogle is the No. 75 overall player and fourth-best weakside defensive end in the 2019 class. He also visited Tennessee for the Orange & White Game.
My Brother Pulled The Trigger #T19 #GBO ??? https://t.co/JX99wpn8VX
— K H R I S B O G L E ? (@khris_a1) May 1, 2018
Four-star defensive tackle Ben Smiley quoted a graphic that Bogle tweeted out that had him and Morris in Tennessee gear asking if he could “join the wave” too. Smiley has yet to visit Tennessee after Pruitt and his staff extended an offer to him in February. He just recently added an offer from Alabama too. Smiley is the No. 355 overall player and No. 24 defensive tackle.
Can I join the wave ?? https://t.co/4vKDMIGZTd
— Ben Smiley lll (@BenSmiley9) May 1, 2018
Three-star outside linebacker Jamie Pettway said that Morris’ commitment “sealed the deal.” It’s unclear if he meant it sealed the deal for him, or if he’s just referring to Morris closing the deal on his recruitment by committing to the Vols. Pettway is rated as the No. 653 overall player and No. 48 outside linebacker.
Sealed the Deal??? #GBO https://t.co/fKE1MKj4Bh
— PETTWAY? (@JamiePettway42) May 1, 2018
So far, no prospect has joined Morris in his commitment to the Vols, but it’s clear his pledge has grabbed the attention of fellow high school standouts. It’s not far-fetched to expect Tennessee to start picking up more commitments soon thanks to his decision.
