JUCO EDGE Jamal Wallace commits to Tennessee

Sierra College (Calif.) three-star JUCO EDGE Jamal Wallace has committed to Tennessee.

The Kansas City product chose the Volunteers while also holding offers from the likes of Houston, Memphis and Toledo.

Wallace ranks as the No. 37 JUCO prospect and No. 7 EDGE, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

For more Tennessee recruiting intel, check out Volquest.

Wallace was on Rocky Top for an official visit this weekend and has locked in his pledge. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner was a primary factor in Wallace’s decision.

“I think he can push me to my highest limits,” Wallace said of Garner to Volquest. “Just watching practice, it’s just so intense with him. The little things tick him off and that’s pretty fun and amazing to get around.”

Tennessee 2024 recruiting class breakdown

As of Dec. 14, Tennessee currently has 20 commitments, 10 of whom are projected to play on the offensive side of the ball, while 10 are expected to play defense.

The Volunteers’ class checks in at No. 13 in the nation and No. 8 in the SEC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

Tennessee’s class consists of one five-stars, 12 four-stars and seven three-star prospects. The lone five-stars committed to the Vols is Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews. Birmingham (Ala.) Vestavia Hills four-star EDGE Jordan Ross flanks as the other top-100 prospect in the class.

The 6-foot-0.5, 180-pound Matthews is the highest-ranked overall and offensive commitment for the Volunteers this cycle, ranking as the nation’s No. 22 overall prospect and No. 6 wide receiver. He pledged to the Vols on July 19. Ross is the highest-ranked pledge for the Volunteers on the defensive side, checking in as the No. 34 overall prospect and the No. 5 EDGE. He committed to Tennessee on Aug. 21.

Six additional top-200 recruits are committed to Josh Heupel and Tennessee: Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger, Aiken (S.C.) Strom Thurmond four-star WR Braylon Staley, Chattanooga (Tenn.) Bradley Central four-star athlete Boo Carter, Nashville Lipscomb Academy four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley, Sugar Land (Texas) Fort Bend Christian four-star offensive tackle Bennett Warren and Salem (Va.) four-star running back Peyton Lewis.

Four-star and five-star prospects are rated as ‘blue-chip’ prospects — Tennessee’s class sits at No. 6 nationally in blue-chip percentage at 68.42%. The average distance of a Tennessee recruit’s hometown to Knoxville is 330.8 miles and 32% of the class hails from the state of Tennessee.