Recruiting 3-2-1: July decisions loom large for Tennessee

The calendar has officially turned to July and many key decisions loom large for Tennessee on the recruiting trail. Volquest dives into the latest in this special recruiting edition of the 3-2-1.

3 Questions

1. What will David Sanders do?

The Sanders camp has put the phones away and are sticking to their plan. As of now, it looks like an August decision but that’s all subject to change if they come to a decision and decide to end the process. Tennessee and Ohio State remain the top two teams for the Charlotte product. The Vols have proximity and where we believe he feels most comfortable. The Buckeyes have also impressed upon him their brand and national success in the regular season. Georgia and Clemson continue to work to be a factor but it certainly seems like a two team race.

2. Can the Vols close out a running back?

This one seems unlikely in July as the current targets appear to be taking their decisions into the fall. Shekai Mills-Knight is coming off an Ole Miss official visit and the chatter is the Rebels have gained the upper hand due to depth chart. The longer it goes, the better chance other teams could bounce back. Georgia tailback Ousmane Kromah also wants to wait to announce so we will see if both take their time or if the pressure pushes them to commit sooner. Oakland tailback Daune Morris is still committed to USC and the Vols have been talking to him more in recent weeks. They would love to get he and his family up at the end of the month,

3. Will Tennessee exit July inside the top-10?

Tennessee has some big decisions ahead this month and if things continue to trend with several key prospects in this class then the answer is a resounding yes. As it stands currently, they could easily land multiple 4-stars and maybe even a 5-star this month. They are on the cusp of being inside the top-10 currently and the right combination of players should send them firmly in place. Players like Sanders, Shaedy Hayward, Jadon Perlotte and even Josh Petty are all still very much in play.

2 Observations

1. Tennessee has become the team to beat for Travis Smith.

Georgia has taken a number of receivers the last month and a half and listening to some key people in the Peach state makes you wonder if they are done at the position. Smith has always felt comfortable in Knoxville. Alabama is also in play here but the Tide are waiting on Caleb Cunningham and others. Kelsey Pope and that relationship appears to be very crucial.

2. The Vols are in deep at linebacker in the Peach state.

The Vols are in a good spot with Georgia linebackers Jadon Perlotte and Christian Gass. Can Tennessee officially flip the Georgia commit Perlotte? People in Georgia seem to think so and he continues to have great dialogue with the Vols but he will need to make a decommitment official for things to get real. Gass seems like he is closing in on a decision with an announcement to come in the next two weeks for either the Vols or Bulldogs.

1 Prediction

1. Shaedy Hayward comes full circle on his birthday July 27th.

Tennessee led for months and he wasn’t shy to push that narrative. Then official visits started and he seemed to have a new leader every week. I’m not so sure that ever actually was the case and more was Hayward wanting to have some suspense for his announcement which will come on his birthday at the end of the month. I think Shaedy is soaked in a shade of orange later this month.