Tennessee has landed in the Top 8 for elite linebacker DJ McClary.
McClary announced his list on Monday afternoon and included two SEC schools on his list: South Carolina, Tennessee, Rutgers, Penn State, Southern California, Michigan, Oregon, and Ohio State.
“#AGTG [All Glory to God] recruitment is still 100% open but from the schools that offered this is my top 8!!”
#AGTG recruitment is still 100% open but from the schools that offered this is my top 8!! 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/yBtUd1e14w
— DJ McClary (@tnlDJ_) July 3, 2023
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McClary is starting with a fairly big list but will have plenty of time to sort things out, take visits, and talk to players/coaches. McClary is one of the top prospects in the 2025 class as he currently plays ball for Henry Snyder High School.
The Jersey City, New Jersey native ranks as a four-star prospect according to all four major publications in 247 Sports, Rivals, ESPN, and On3 Sports. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the No. 91 player in the nation, the No. 10 linebacker in the class of 2025, and the No. 3 player from the state of New Jersey.
There’s still a whole lot of time between July 2023 and when McClary needs to make his decision as part of the 2025 class. That’s fortunate for Tennessee, though, and will give the Vols time and opportunity to sway the elite linebacker prospect to Knoxville.
While it’s still early in McClary’s recruitment, On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine does have Penn State as the overwhelming favorite at 93.9 percent.
Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel do have one commit already locked down for the 2025 class. That would be four-star cornerback Shamar Arnoux. A lengthy defensive back standing at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, Arnoux has the size, frame, and potential to be a terrific cornerback and a keystone piece to Tennessee’s 2025 class.
Linebacker is also a position that Tennessee needs to continue working the trail for. While it won’t have any impact on McClary’s commitment, Tennessee did search the transfer portal for an experienced, powerful linebacker this offseason, which was found in redshirt senior Keenan Pili from BYU. The Vols have a loaded class of 2024 commitment list but it does only feature one true linebacker. The Vols locked down that commitment near the end of June with fringe four-star prospect Jordan Burns.
DJ McClary would certainly be a welcome addition for Tennessee Football down the road.
#AGTG I’m blessed to receive an offer from University of Tennessee!! @ColemanMinnis@CoachEkelerUT@luc_brian@batmansbutler44@BrianDohn247 @DemetricDWarren @TomLuginbill @RyanSnyderOn3 @SeanFitzOn3 @RivalsFriedman @SWiltfong247 @BobbyDeren pic.twitter.com/A5jytwzNA8
— DJ McClary (@tnlDJ_) April 8, 2023
