The top outside linebacker in the 2021 recruiting cycle has the Vols among his top teams in his recruitment moving forward.
Xavian Sorey, an elite linebacker who plays for Graceville High School in Graceville, Florida, tweeted out his list of favorite teams in his recruitment this past week, and Tennessee made the cut along with Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Auburn, Miami, Florida State, and South Carolina.
Top 10?? Edit:@Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/HJQqnop3Bu
— Xavian Sorey Jr (@Sorey_Jr) March 6, 2020
The 6-foot-3, 214-pound linebacker is rated as the No. 10 overall prospect and No. 1 outside linebacker in the 2021 class according to 247Sports. He’s the No. 61 prospect and No. 5 OLB in the composite rankings.
Sorey holds two dozen scholarship offers, but those 10 teams will get the bulk of his attention moving forward. Tennessee extended an offer to Sorey back in March of 2019. Florida and Alabama have a lot of momentum with Sorey currently, but he’s being pursued by several elite programs across the country and in the SEC.
Not only does Sorey excel as a defender, but he plays running back for Graceville as well, and he stars on the basketball team, too.
Sorey is a smooth, quick linebacker capable of playing sideline-to-sideline at any number of linebacker spots. His time on offense has only fueled his aggressiveness, and he plays with an edge. Sorey has good football IQ and uses his length to his advantage. He could flourish as an inside linebacker, but he has plenty of skill to play on the outside, too.
As a junior this past season, Sorey totaled 57 tackles, three interceptions, and an interception return for touchdown on defense. On offense, he ran the ball 81 times for 638 yards and three scores and also caught two receiving touchdowns.
The Vols have a need for outside linebackers and edge rushers in the 2021 cycle, and Sorey is just one of many prospects UT is pursuing in that regard. Five-star Dylan Brooks, five-star Terrence Lewis, five-star Smael Mondon, four-star Demeioun Robinson, four-star Jeremiah Williams, four-star Elijah Jeudy, and four-star Junior Colson are just a few names on Tennessee’s board currently.
