As 2019 prospects are now nearing the beginning their senior seasons, many are beginning to narrow down their recruitment. The Vols found themselves towards the top of another prospect’s list on Monday when Isaiah Hazel released his top seven schools.
The four-star receiver tweeted out a graphic in the evening featuring the top seven schools in his recruitment. Tennessee offered him back in late April, and already they are among his favorite schools.
TOP 7! pic.twitter.com/NxDImq0EEL
— Isaiah Hazel (@Thats__zay) May 29, 2018
Maryland, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Michigan as well as SEC foes Ole Miss and Alabama rounded out the rest of his top seven.
Hazel is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and plays for Dr. Henry Wise High School. The homestate Terps are seen as the favorites for his signature as of right now. Per the 247Sports Composite rankings, he is the No. 186 overall player in the nation, the 32nd-best receiver, and the 4th-ranked player in Maryland.
The 6-foot-1, 190 pound pass catcher has the right mold for the SEC, as well as the athleticism. Hazel posses excellent acceleration, allowing him to get off the ball quickly and catch corners off guard. He is already a very talented player and has a high ceiling. Hazel displays his excellent body control and awareness on his film. He knows how to bring down jump balls and how to position his body to shield himself away from defenders and ensure he comes away with the ball and not them. He has some solid speed and won’t be chased down by most corners in college. He’s also a very physical player and seeks out contact rather than shying away from it, a trait that surely stood out to Tennessee’s coaching staff.
In 25 games in high school, Hazel has 44 catches for 681 yards and eight touchdowns according to MaxPreps. He also plays safety in high school, but wide receiver is his primary position and the one he’s being recruited at by college programs.
Maryland is still the clear favorite for Hazel, but the Vols have quickly made a positive impression. If Jeremy Pruitt and his staff can get him in Knoxville for an official visit this season, they might be able to sway him. Whatever school winds up with his talents will have a guy that can make an impact on day one.
