Tennessee will likely take three or more receivers in their 2020 recruiting class because of departing seniors after the 2019 season. The Vols have targeted several different pass catchers so far this cycle, and one of their top targets at the position listed the Vols among his list of top teams moving forward.
EJ Williams is a four-star receiver who plays for Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama. On Sunday morning, Williams trimmed down his list of teams to just seven, and Tennessee made the cut along with Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma, Florida, and LSU.
Top 7 No Order? pic.twitter.com/4dRqkajmH4
— E.J. Williams? (@_ejda1) May 26, 2019
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Williams is the No. 93 overall player, No. 19 wide receiver, and No. 3 player in the state of Alabama. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver holds more than two dozen offers, but he’ll be focusing mainly on just the seven schools he listed on Sunday.
Tennessee and Williams have had a relationship for a while. Vol wide receivers coach Tee Martin is his primary recruiter at UT, and Williams has visited Knoxville a couple times already. He took an unofficial visit to Tennessee in March for a Junior Day event, and he used his first official visit of his recruitment to come to Knoxville. Williams officially visited during the Vols’ Orange & White Game on April 13th. He also has an official visit planned for Auburn on June 23rd.
Williams doesn’t have blazing speed, but he’s fast enough to make a difference. He has a great catch radius and can make some very difficult receptions look like they’re nothing. His route running is actually pretty good, especially for a high school junior. He’s effective on post routes, streaks, and slants. Williams is dangerous in the red zone and is a bad match-up for cornerbacks when he runs a fade route or slant into the end zone.
As a junior for Central High School, Williams totaled 40 catches for 688 yards and nine touchdowns. He helped his team to an undefeated record and a state title in 7A last season, the largest classification in the state of Alabama.
Tennessee will likely take at least three wide receivers in their 2020 class, and Williams is one of their top targets at the position. The Vols are losing several receivers because of graduation after the 2019 season, so they need to use this class as a way to bolster their numbers moving forward. Marquez Callaway, Jauan Jennings, Brandon Johnson, and Tyler Byrd are all set to graduate after the 2019 season, and Josh Palmer could leave early for the NFL if he has a very strong season.
The Vols currently have one receiver committed to them in their 2020 class. Three-star athlete Jimmy Calloway from Morrow, Georgia committed to Tennessee after the Orange & White Game in April, and he’ll play wide receiver in college.
