On Sunday afternoon, Tennessee picked up a commitment from one of their top targets in the 2021 recruiting cycle, and it sent shockwaves throughout the recruiting world.
Five-star edge rusher Dylan Brooks announced his commitment to the Vols on Sunday, choosing Tennessee over Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and others. What makes the pull even more impressive is that Brooks is the No. 1 prospect in the state of Alabama per the 247Sports Composite rankings, and both the Tide and the Tigers had legitimate interest in Brooks.
Nevertheless, Tennessee was able to secure his commitment, and now they’ll fight to hold on to his pledge till he’s able to sign.
Brooks’ commitment to the Vols caught the attention of more than just Vol nation; his decision to commit to Tennessee sent ripples throughout the nation. Several of the Vols’ other top 2021 targets took notice, as did current and former Vol players and current Vol commits.
Here’s a look at just some of the reaction on social media after Brooks’ commitment to Tennessee.
Vol Targets
Five-star outside linebacker Terrence Lewis out of Florida, who has the Vols as one of his top teams currently, reacted by asking whether or not coming to Tennessee is the move for him, too.
#GBO ? ?? https://t.co/L7qviEOYEN
— Terrence Not Terrance? (@Terrence21Lewis) April 26, 2020
Four-star weak-side defensive end Landyn Watson out of Texas also had something to say about Brooks committing to the Vols. Watson is a big-time target for UT, and he’s hoping to take an official visit to Knoxville in the future.
My Brother! ? #GBO https://t.co/QorKaMgk8w
— Landyn Watson (@landynwatson) April 26, 2020
Four-star wide receiver Julian Nixon has been tweeting about the Vols all month, and he tweeted before about “what would it take to get Dylan Brooks to Knoxville?” Well, now Brooks is in the boat. Vol fans wonder if Nixon will follow soon.
Yessir?? https://t.co/SB6flUqEEP
— Julian Nixon (@JulianNixon11) April 26, 2020
Four-star strong-side defensive end Jahvaree Ritzie out of North Carolina included the Vols in his list of top teams on Sunday, and Brooks’ commitment caught his attention, too.
Gang ??? https://t.co/wDZT0YuWN3
— Jahvaree Ritzie ?5️⃣ (@jahvaree) April 26, 2020
One of the highest-rated prospects on Tennessee’s board, five-star offensive tackle Amarius Mims, had something to say about Brooks committing to the Vols.
yessir‼️ https://t.co/ZdP8y7jwlC
— 〽️ I 〽️ S (@amarius_mims) April 26, 2020
Cody Brown, one of the top running backs in the 2021 class, tweeted out a couple things when Brooks committed. His first was simply a tweet with the eyeball emojis, and the second was a graphic featuring himself and other Vol targets, Kamar Wilcoxson and Amarius Mims, in a graphic together wearing Tennessee gear. The graphic appears in a phone screen, and the top text on the screen says Brooks has added Brown to a group chat with the other prospects. Brown is one of the Vols’ top running back targets in the 2021 cycle.
— CB7 (@_codywbrown) April 26, 2020
Hmmm ? pic.twitter.com/E0ZB9URZR3
— CB7 (@_codywbrown) April 26, 2020
Speaking of Kamar Wilcoxson, he also reacted to Brooks committing to the Vols. The four-star safety was once committed to Florida but decommitted a month ago. Tennessee has been big on him for a while now.
sheesh my boy, that’s hard & different . proud of you bro fr, nothing but love my way. ?? https://t.co/qAmv5JYlYw
— ? (@KamarWilcoxson4) April 26, 2020
Current Vol Players
Tennessee starting center Brandon Kennedy was excited to see a fellow Alabama native commit to the Vols. Kennedy hails from Wetumpka, AL and transferred from the Crimson Tide to Tennessee prior to the 2018 season.
Next up ???!! https://t.co/8IdHuACy73
— Brandon Kennedy (@56nights_crazy) April 26, 2020
Five-star quarterback Harrison Bailey was happy to get Brooks in the boat, but he’s not content with just one highly-rated commit.
Whos next ? #ONaMIS21ON ?? https://t.co/STyPaU0Vti
— Harrison Bailey (@HBailey_05) April 26, 2020
Jimmy Holiday, a 2020 signee for the Vols in the quarterback room, was happy to see Brooks make his decision public.
Let’s work ? https://t.co/y1RiTbEPKS
— Jimmy Holiday (@jimmythejet3) April 26, 2020
Fellow edge rusher Tyler Baron implored Vol fans to give some love to UT’s latest commit. Baron was a top-150 prospect in the 2020 class inside Tennessee’s own state borders.
Yessir Bro !! Show love to the newest Vol‼️?? https://t.co/OgwYDhnh4m
— Tyler Baron (@Tylerbaron23) April 26, 2020
Fellow in-state signee Martavius French was also ecstatic to see Brooks commit, and he welcomed him to the legacy of Vol edge rushers.
Congratulations ??lil bro. Join the legacy https://t.co/cQ9Nao21Qg
— Martavius French (@ypcfrenchie) April 26, 2020
Current Tennessee quarterback and redshirt senior Jarrett Guarantano is excited for the future of Tennessee football even after he’ll be gone thanks to Brooks’ commitment and the rest of UT’s recruiting.
Future is bright on Rocky Top!! CONGRATS AND WELCOME TO THE FAMILY #ONaMIS21ON #GBO ?? https://t.co/lsmTt5b3PD
— Jarrett Guarantano✞ (@BroadwayJay2) April 26, 2020
Roman Harrison, who saw his stock blow up late in the 2019 recruiting cycle, wants Brooks to blast some “Rocky Top.” Harrison got more playing time late in the season and could be in line for an expanded role in 2020 as an outside linebacker.
Yessir ????c’mon and turn Rocky Top up. Its time to get to work.??? https://t.co/gTOT9qKl4M
— Roman Harrison ?? (@_rh30_) April 26, 2020
Sophomore safety Jaylen “Tank” McCollough wants to know which prospect will be next to join the Vols’ 2021 class after Brooks’ commitment.
St?p playing with us. Who’s Next? #ONaMIS21ON
— Tank ™️ (@Jay_Mccollough2) April 26, 2020
Quarterback Brian Maurer wonders the same, using the same hashtag as McCollough.
#ONaMIS21ON who’s next
— Brian Maurer (@maurerera_2) April 26, 2020
Quavaris Crouch, who signed with the Vols to play linebacker after being a standout running back in high school, welcomed Brooks to UT’s class, too. Crouch played mostly at outside linebacker as a freshman, but he could move to inside linebacker in 2020.
Blessed to have you bro let’s work ?
— JuupJuup Crouch (@CrouchQuavaris) April 26, 2020
Morven Joseph was a four-star outside linebacker who signed with the Vols in the 2020 class on National Signing Day. He was glad to see Brooks finally commit and welcomed him to the UT family. He also told four-star safety Kamar Wilcoxson that Tennessee is waiting on him to commit now.
Bout time you let the world know! Welcome to the family we live #GBO #Vols https://t.co/cmXUv55lTf
— MOJO⁹ (@MorvenJoseph) April 26, 2020
We waiting on you now !? https://t.co/ro7K5N77CI
— MOJO⁹ (@MorvenJoseph) April 26, 2020
Current Vol Commits
Tennessee 2021 safety commit Edwin White stated that Brooks has been privately committed for a little while now and only just now made it public. White also plays down in Alabama.
Been locked in for a week now ??? I been knew !! https://t.co/x9R5QnEkbL
— Edwin White 1️⃣ (@TheEdwinWhite6) April 26, 2020
Defensive tackle commit Isaac Washington had a couple messages. The first one was that a Big Orange storm is coming, and he won’t be accepting any bandwagon fans when the Vols “win the natty.” His second was that Tennessee is “building something nice” while tagging defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh and defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley.
IF YOU AINT A TENNESSEE FAN RIGHT NOW DONT HOP ONNA BAND WAGON WHEN WE WIN THA NATTY‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️??
— isaac (@isaacw_74) April 27, 2020
we building sum nice?? #RockyTop @CoachBrumbaugh @DansleyAnsley
— isaac (@isaacw_74) April 27, 2020
Four-star wide receiver and fellow Alabama prospect Jordan Mosley kept his message simple, tweeting out an orange emoji to the news.
— JM4??? (@Jmosley_7) April 26, 2020
Former Vol Players
One of the newest former Vol players, Darrell Taylor, was happy to see another edge rusher commit to the Vols. Taylor was drafted with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks on Friday night. Brooks has been sold by UT’s coaches as Taylor’s potential replacement in the future.
That’s legit? https://t.co/IEW3dADeqJ
— Darrell Taylor Jr (@darrelltaylorst) April 26, 2020
Former Vol running back Aaron Hayden heaped praise on Tennessee defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley for helping pull in Brooks.
This is what happens when you have a guy like @DansleyAnsley as your DC! National recruiting for the Vols! https://t.co/dOYs7oEuYA
— Aaron Hayden (@Ran4UT) April 26, 2020
Vol legend Jamal Lewis greeted Brooks to the Tennessee family.
Welcome to #Volnation https://t.co/GASgITF0ie
— Jamal Lewis (@Jamal31Lewis) April 26, 2020
Standout wide receiver Joey Kent joined the Vols from Huntsville, AL, so he knows a thing or two about leaving Alabama to become a Vol. He was happy to see another player do the same thing.
Crossing that state line from Bama to Tennessee. Love it! #GoVols ? https://t.co/5DZxXZfjMJ
— joey kent (@joeykent) April 26, 2020
Speaking of former Vol wideouts from Alabama, Jayson Swain was also excited to see Brooks choose the Vols over the in-state Tide and Tigers. Swain also called the decision a “power move” for Tennessee.
I love it when them Alabama boys put on that #Tennessee orange! Power move for the #Vols. Welcome Mr Brooks! https://t.co/O6ssbWFMDB
— Jayson Swain (@SwainEvent) April 26, 2020
Leonard Little, a former standout edge rusher for the Vols, simply used the eyeball emojis to express his excitement about Brooks committing.
— L. Little (@DBL_L_01) April 26, 2020
Former Vol linebacker Jeremy Banks, who was dismissed from the team in October 2019, congratulated Brooks on committing and said Tennessee will “change your life.”
Congrats. Stay true they will change your life?? https://t.co/DZeqOu6IMQ
— Jeremy Banks (@jeremybanks32) April 26, 2020
