Tennessee set to host loaded group of 2024 visitors this weekend

Coming off its first 11-win season in more than 20 years, Tennessee has some serious momentum on the recruiting trail. The Volunteers have the No. 12 class in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings and sit just outside the top-10 of the 2024 list.

This weekend, a loaded group of prospects will descend on Rocky Top, headlined by Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview five-star receiver Mike Matthews, the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2024 On3 Consensus. Home state Georgia, Notre Dame, Clemson and others are also in the mix, but the Volunteers have made a strong early impression. And getting him back on campus during a weekend where Georgia is hosting a bunch of elite recruits is no small feat.

Two Show-Me State stars on the list

Joining him will be the top two players out of the state of Missouri in 2024: five-star Lee’s Summit North defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri and four-star St. Louis University High wide receiver Ryan Wingo, who checks in as the No. 18 prospect and No. 5 wide receiver in the class.

Nwaneri will be making his first trip to Knoxville, but told On3’s Chad Simmons earlier Thursday that the Volunteers are one of five schools standing out in his recruitment.

“It was a really good season they had and I feel like they’ve made a statement with the season,” Nwaneri said. “I really just need to get down there and get a feel for it for myself, see how I like it, see how I feel meeting everybody in person.”

As for Wingo, the Volunteers are one of two schools trending for him early in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), and he likes what he’s seen from Tennessee’s offense.

“What I was able to see them do, it was No. 1 in yards per game, I think. Just being able to see that, see what they can do with new receivers, that’s a great thing to watch and I think it will be even better next year and the years to come with Nico (Iamaleava) going there. So it’ll be fun to watch.”

Top in-state prospects set to visit as well

The Vols will also play host to a number of top targets from within the state’s borders and throughout the Southeast. Nashville Lipscomb Academy four-star cornerback commit Kaleb Beasley is expected in, as are in-state four-stars Boo Carter and Edwin Spillman. Beasley told On3’s Joe Spears earlier this week that Carter and Spillman are his top two targets as he looks to recruit for the Volunteers.

Joining them in town will be four-star Dillon (S.C.) offensive tackle Josiah Thompson, Tulsa (Okla.) four-star EDGE Danny Okoye, and a group of recruits from national prep powerhouse Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy that includes four-star Ify Obidegwu.

From the 2025 class, elite national quarterback prospect Cutter Boley will be in town, as Tennessee battles Kentucky, Michigan, Alabama and a number of others early on for him.

For more coverage of Tennessee recruiting, visit VolQuest.