As we noted a few weeks ago, the Vols continue to have plenty of recruiting momentum as the month of June kicks off. Since then they’ve added an instate TE with a sky-high ceiling in Jacob Warren and then this past week the nation’s No. 1 punter in Skyler Delong. And despite the decommitment of Jaylon Reed on Monday, the current class is incredibly strong from top to bottom with a lot of runway left.
With the camp season kicking off and the showcase Orange Carpet Day coming up on the 17th, here are some predictions of what might happen this month, at Orange Carpet Day itself and by position:
Orange Carpet Day
Below is the current list of expected visitors, with the list likely to expand quite a bit as the weekend gets closer:
- CB Jaycee Horn
- DB Rayshad Williams
- DE Azeez Ojulari
- TE Tommy Tremble
- RB Lyn-J Dixon
- RB Anthony Grant
- DE Jordan Davis
- OL Jerome Carvin
- LB Cam Jones
- DE Caleb Johnson
- DL Greg Emerson
- CB Jordan Miner
Predicted (but not unexpected) commits going into the weekend
Cam Jones and D’Andre Litaker. Commitments QB Adrian Martinez and WR (and peer recruiter extraordinaire) Jatavious Harris have said they are coming as well. I would expect most if not all of the other current commitments to also be there.
Less expected predicted commitments
Tremble – crazy-athletic TE to pair with Warren that finishes off the position for this class
Miner – not 100% sure he’s a take at this point, but he likes the Vols and awful lot and if he is in fact a take for the staff (and how he looks when he comes to Knoxville could play a part) they might put some heat on him
Another prediction: Jordan Davis finally makes it to Knoxville (and brings his family) and the Vols become a real player
RB
Dominos begin to fall and the Vols land at least one RB, but it’s not that simple
There are conflicting reports about how much Master Teague does not want to play with Zamir White. With both Teague and White high on UGA, this is where it gets interesting. Especially because while White’s current decision date is set for June 27, there are rumblings that Teague could do something sooner. The Vols are certainly trending with Teague while Auburn has fallen back to the pack, leaving this a two-horse race.
Obviously best case scenario for UT is to land Teague and have White pick OSU – both of which are very realistic possibilities.
Prediction: Regardless of what Teague does, either LJ Dixon or Anthony Grant commit to the Vols by the end of the week after Orange Carpet Day
Prediction: If Vols lose out on Teague and can’t land both Dixon AND Grant, Tae Provens gets the greenlight to commit and does so earlier than his currently scheduled August 11th date
OL
Prediction: Taylor Antonutti shows out at either a satellite camp and/or a camp in Knoxville and becomes a legitimate option at OT regardless of what Jerome Carvin does
Prediction: Speaking of Carvin, with whom it seems like Bama has some momentum, his visit to Orange Carpet Day lifts the Vols back to at least even
DE
Prediction: Dorian Gerald’s visit to campus this week stamps the Vols as a major player going forward and he becomes the #1 target at the position
Prediction: Vols land a DE this month – either Richard Jibunor or Azeez Olujari
Prediction: At least one more legitimate option emerges (Jordan Davis? A new name?)
LB
With likely only one spot after Cam Jones commits, Xavier Peters (my personal favorite still on the board), Matthew Flint and Justice Dingle visit Knoxville and the board shakes out from there
Prediction: Cam Mcgrone commits to ND
Prediction: Jacquez Jones either earns a commitable offer at a camp or he and the Vols part ways (though I’m sure Butch handles it in a way that keep the door open should Jones have a tremendous senior season)
Secondary
Prediction: Trey Dean commits to UGA and the Safety board narrows
This opens the door for either/both of Rayshad Williams or Jarek Campbell to earn commitable offers at the position with camp performances
Williams also has the chance to earn a CB offer if he shows he can play the position with that length. Especially with the Reed decommitment
Same for Jaylon King, who now has a shot to show out at CB at a camp and earn a commitable offer
Jaycee Horn has become that much more important as arguably the top CB on the board. With him alternating his leader spot between Bama and South Carolina on an almost daily basis, his visit for Orange Day becomes huge.