Cornerback is arguably Tennessee’s biggest position of need in the 2019 recruiting cycle, yet they don’t have a single committed corner in their class so far. But that could change later on this month.
Warren Burrell is a three-star cornerback from Suwanee, Georgia. He’s been made a big priority by Tennessee’s coaching staff, and on Saturday afternoon he posted his top three teams to Twitter. The Vols made the cut along with Florida and N.C. State. Burrell added that he intends to announce his commitment on July 27th.
FINAL 3!!! Commitment day on July 27?? pic.twitter.com/kEKneeyONc
— Warren Burrell (@_WB04) July 14, 2018
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Burrell is the No. 478 overall player and No. 43 cornerback in the 2019 class. Along with his top three teams, Burrell holds nearly two dozen other offers, including ones from Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Ohio State, Michigan, and others.
Burrell has used three of his official visits already, and all three were used on the teams in his top three. He officially visited Tennessee on June 1st, used an official visit to see Gainesville on June 8th, and made an official visit to N.C. State on June 22nd. He’s visited the Vols more than any other school in 2018, though. He came to Knoxville on unofficial visits on March 17th and again for the Orange & White Game on April 21st. The only other school he’s paid multiple visits to is Florida, unofficially visiting them on May 19th before taking his official visit there.
As a player, Burrell presents a lot of upside. Coaches recognized him as a 1st-team all-state player for his performance in his junior season at North Gwinnett High School. At 6-foot, 170 pounds, he doesn’t have bad size either. With a 4.53 40 time, he has the speed to cover faster receivers. He is a player that might end up a better safety than corner in college, but he has solid skills as a defensive back regardless of position.
Burrell has great hips and is a very fluid athlete, and he has elite ball skills as well. A corner that can read the ball in the air and go make a play on it is incredibly valuable to a team, and he can do just that. Time and time again on his film he can be seen tracking the ball and reaching it at its highest point. He has great anticipation and very good instincts. Tackling is not a concern for him either. It isn’t necessarily a strength of his, but it certainly isn’t a weakness. One concern is his physicality at the line of scrimmage. He is rarely seen playing up on receivers, and with his somewhat average strength, it’s fair to wonder whether he can be successful in press coverage. He’s good in man coverage, though.
As a junior last season, Burrell totaled 26 tackles, a tackle for loss, five interceptions, 11 passes defended, two fumble recoveries, a safety, and a defensive touchdown off an interception according to MaxPreps. It’s also worth noting that he played against Tennessee commit and four-star wide receiver Ramel Keyton in the Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals during last year’s playoffs. Keyton’s team was led by four-star quarterback and No. 2 pro-style QB in the 2020 class Harrison Bailey as well. Burrell intercepted a pass from Bailey late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory for North Gwinnett High School.
Tennessee needs as many corners as they can get in the 2019 cycle, and nabbing Burrell out of Georgia would be a great start for this class at that position.
