Two highly-rated prospects in the 2021 cycle have both included the Vols in their list of top teams moving forward in their recruitments.
Four-stars Sage Ryan and Landyn Watson have both listed Tennessee among their favorites at this point in their recruiting processes. For Ryan, the Vols are in his top 10 along with Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Michigan, Florida State, Ole Miss, and TCU. Watson includes Tennessee along with 12 other teams, with LSU, Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Missouri, Baylor, Texas Tech, Arizona State, Cal, and Virginia Tech rounding out the list.
First off I would like to thank God. I’m very blessed to be in this situation and I will make the best out of this opportunity, thank you to all the schools who have recruited me throughout this journey… But with that being said I am announcing my top 10! pic.twitter.com/iZLrAsLZ2I
— Sage “Flash” Ryan (@sageryan15) March 23, 2020
•Jeremiah 29:11• Thank You..Top 13.. LandOfWatson..
(No Specific Order..) pic.twitter.com/TGUgG3OCW2— Landyn Watson (@landynwatson) March 23, 2020
Ryan, a 5-foot-11, 193-pound athlete from Lafayette, Louisiana, is one of the top athletes in the 2021 class. He’s the No. 39 overall prospect and No. 3 athlete in the country per the 247Sports Composite rankings, and only five-star defensive tackle Maason Smith is rated higher than him in the state of Louisiana.
The dynamic athlete is cousins with former LSU running back and NFL standout Kevin Faulk. His uncle, Trev Faulk, also played for LSU and spent a couple seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams.
Tennessee was the first team to extend an offer to Ryan, as the Vols offered him back on March 11, 2019. Colorado and Virginia followed, then two weeks later he got an offer from LSU.
Ryan plays on both sides of the ball for Lafayette Christian Academy, and he’s explosive on the field and in testing. He was timed running a 4.45-second 40-yard dash and a 4.37-second shuttle at a regional camp for Nike’s The Opening in March of last year, and he showed off a 36-inch vertical leap as well. He’s been invited to the All-American Bowl and the Polynesian Bowl.
Landyn Watson is a 6-foot-3, 235-pound weak-side defensive end from Hutto, Texas. He’s currently rated as the No. 295 overall prospect and No. 16 weak-side defensive end in the 2021 class per the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Tennessee gave Watson an offer on January 9th of this year, the same day Penn State extended an offer to him. Watson was committed to LSU at one point, announcing his pledge to them on July 29, 2019. But four months later, Watson decommitted from the Tigers and immediately picked up an offer from Purdue that same day.
As a junior, Watson was named the Texas District 11-5A D-I Defensive Lineman of the Year after earning first team all-district honors as a sophomore in 2018 and being named the Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in 2017.
Last season, Watson totaled 49 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and four passes defended according to MaxPreps. He returned a fumble for a touchdown as well. In 34 career games at Hutto High School, Watson has amassed 141 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, and 36 quarterback hurries.
The Vols currently have seven prospects committed to them in their 2021 class, with four-star wide receiver Jordan Mosley headlining the group.
