The early signing period for the 2020 recruiting class is nearing. This year’s December signing period begins on December 18th and runs through the 20th, and tons of prospects will be announcing their commitments during that span. A few of UT’s top uncommitted targets plan to commit during the early signing period, and four of them have recently named the Vols as one of their finalists ahead of their commitment announcements.
Desmond Tisdol, Kendall Dennis, Morven Joseph, and Reginald Perry will all be announcing their commitment later this month, and all four included Tennessee among their finalists. The Vols would love to land all four if possible.
Tisdol is a four-star athlete who plays both linebacker and running back for Wilcox County in Rochelle, Georgia. Tisdol will likely play linebacker in college, however. He has a final three of Tennessee, Auburn, and South Carolina and plans on committing on December 18th.
It’s in God’s hands??? God’s Plan✍??? pic.twitter.com/G1MFNj2qjX
— Desmond Tisdol⭐️ (@Des_Tisdol) December 10, 2019
The Vols have turned up the heat on Tisdol over the last couple months, officially offering him on October 22nd and getting an unofficial visit from him on November 2nd. Tisdol took an unofficial visit to Auburn at the end of November then made an official visit to see the Tigers this past weekend. He has an official visit planned to Knoxville on December 13th.
According to the 247Sports rankings, the 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker is the No. 134 overall prospect and No. 8 inside linebacker in the 2020 class. Tennessee had a lot of momentum with Tisdol and still looks to be in a really good spot with him, but if he’s a take at Auburn, then the Tigers may win out.
Kendall Dennis is a 6-foot, 175-pound defensive back who plays for Lakeland High School down in Florida. Tennessee has targeted him for a while, as the talented defensive back unofficially visited the Vols back in June and has been a target for UT in the fall as well.
On Sunday, Dennis announced his top five and said he would be committing this month without specifying a date. The Vols made the cut for his finalists along with Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State, and Nebraska.
“Top 5”… committing this month pic.twitter.com/83rUijeYQ3
— Kendall (@theycravekd) December 9, 2019
Per the 247Sports rankings, Dennis is the No. 233 overall prospect and No. 18 cornerback in the 2020 class. Clemson is his most recent offer (Dec. 7), and he’s planning on officially visiting the Tigers on December 13th. Right now, Clemson appears to have all the momentum for him.
One player the Vols are in a better spot for is talented pass rusher Morven Joseph.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound weak-side defensive end also plays down in Lakeland, FL, though he plays for Lake Gibson High School. Joseph committed to Florida State on July 28th but after taking official visits to Tennessee and Florida in late November and early December, decommitted from the Seminoles.
Now, Joseph is ready to commit on December 19th, and the Vols and Gators are his two finalists.
I will be Announcing my COMMITMENT on Dec 19 #GoGators #GBO Edit: @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/i4mHQy9JMm
— MorvenJ?Mojo (@MorvenJoseph) December 9, 2019
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Joseph is the No. 406 overall prospect and No. 17 weak-side defensive end in the 2020 class.
Right now, Joseph’s recruitment seems too close to call. The Gators might have a slight edge, but others seem to think Tennessee does and that the Vols have the momentum. Everyone will find out on December 19th.
The fourth and final prospect who has included the Vols as a finalist ahead of his commitment announcement is defensive tackle Reginald Perry. Right now, the Vols are probably in the best spot to land him of the four players included in this article.
Perry is a huge 6-foot-6, 300-pound athlete who plays defensive tackle for Fairfield Prep School in Alabama. Not only does Perry play defensive tackle, but he also plays tight end and is a solid basketball player, too.
Tennessee is one of Perry’s four finalists, and they’re joined by Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and UAB. Right now, UAB has Perry offered as a tight end and defensive end. Perry will be committing on the 18th.
ILL BE COMMITTING ON DECEMBER18 STAY TUNED‼️
TOP 4 (NOT IN ORDER) pic.twitter.com/5CG23A71kV— Reginald Perry?? (@GOATKIID5) December 9, 2019
Perry took an unofficial visit to Knoxville on November 2nd and followed that up with an official visit to Tennessee on November 30th.
The huge lineman is the No. 746 overall prospect and No. 60 defensive tackle in the 2020 class in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Tennessee currently has 17 committed prospects in their 2020 class. UT is expected to sign around 25 prospects in this cycle.
