The Vols’ 2019 recruiting class just got a lot better. Tennessee has been on fire in recruiting lately, and that hot streak continued on Sunday as they landed a commitment from Lakia Henry, the top JUCO linebacker in the 2019 class.
#GBO ?? pic.twitter.com/Xah1bw94SB
— Lakia Henry (@Lakia_henry_4) May 20, 2018
Henry is the top rated JUCO inside linebacker per the 247Sports Composite rankings, and he is the third-best JUCO player n the nation.
Henry becomes the third player to commit to the Vols in the last 10 days, joining the likes of wide receiver Ramel Keyton and tight end Sean Brown.
Henry visited Tennessee for the first time last weekend, and it was apparently all he needed to feel confident about his future in Knoxville. The four-star linebacker from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College chose the Vols over Ole Miss, Nebraska, Alabama and Texas A&M, among others, coming off visits to Nebraska on Friday and Ole Miss on Saturday. He still will have two years of eligibility left upon arrival.
He will graduate in December and be able to enroll early, and He should be able to have an immediate impact for the Vols.
At 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, Henry already has the size to play linebacker in the SEC.
Henry’s highlight film shows off his elite awareness and displays his incredible ability to pursue a ball carrier. He’s a sure tackler who knows how to read offenses, and he’s effective in pass coverage as well. He’s not just a one trick pony in other words. Henry is very athletic and is probably capable of playing more than just one position in the 3-4 defense as well.
In his first season with Dodge City, Henry amassed 110 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception, and a pass breakup according to KJCCC.com.
The Vols will need some instant impact players at linebacker in 2019 as they will be replacing Darrin Kirkland Jr. and potentially Daniel Bituli if he goes pro early. Lakia Henry should be able to come in and find playing time immediately on the Vols’ roster and has what it takes to even come in and be a Day 1 starter.
