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4-star DL Ethan Utley 'just a kid fulfilling his dream' by signing with Vols

4A3DA472-0F39-4C89-9987-5851509375C0by:Matt Ray•12/04/24•

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Ethan Utley Tenn copy
Photo courtesy of Ethan Utley

Ensworth High School (Tenn.) standout defensive lineman Ethan Utley has been a pivotal member of Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class. He is officially a Vol after signing his National Letter of Intent moments ago, and he is ready for the next chapter on Rocky Top.

“It is exciting, you know, just a kid fulfilling his dream. That is the only way I can sum it up,” Utley told Volquest prior to signing his NLI. “From being younger, and college football was not going to be a real option to officially being a part of a college program, especially such an outstanding program like the University of Tennessee is a great feeling.”

As Utley readies for the next step of his college football journey, he knows the approach he will take as a newcomer at Tennessee.

“I think I am going take myself back to the approach I used to come into such an outstanding program at Ensworth,” he said of this. “Putting myself in an uncomfortable situation, obviously, I am comfortable and trust my coaches and teammates, but on the field and in the film room, I am just going to look to put myself in those uncomfortable situations. Being the guy that wants to go up against the starters and get those reps. I want to get in the mix early, especially knowing we will have a lot of guys in my position room that will go to the draft. That is really all me and my guy Mariyon Dye talk about is having a chance to step up and play as a freshman.”

There is still one final step left in his high school journey, as he is one of the finalist for the DII-AAA Mr. Football Finalist award, which will be announced later this month. Utley is proud of what he accomplished as a senior at Ensworth.

“We weren’t able to achieve the ultimate goal which is winning a state championship, but just being able to take in all of the coaching and ways that I could improve before becoming a freshman all over again and knowing that I could teach guys and help push guys to limits they didn’t know they had,” Utley said of this. “Being able to see the progress that so many young freshmen have made. I am just appreciative of all that Ensworth has helped me accomplish. If it wasn’t for Ensworth, I would not be going to the University of Tennessee. Just knowing they were able to help me, and I was able to give back to them during my Senior year, which I think was my best year yet. Being able to contribute on both sides of the ball and build my Mr. Football campaign, which is technically the Heisman for in-state. So to be a candidate is second to none, and I feel great about my resume and chances.”

The Scout on Utley

“Ethan Utley is a well-rounded Division 1 prospect,” On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power told Volquest in March at the time of Utley’s commitment. “He plays a lot as a big defensive end for Ensworth. He first came on the scene early in his high school career. I remember attending an Ensworth game back in 2022 and first seeing him in person. He passes the eye test. He has a big frame and measured at over 6-3, 275 pounds over a year ago. He is a guy who has the capacity to hold over 300 pounds. At that size, has light-footed movement skills. I think the fact he plays as a defensive end has certainly helped his natural pass-rush skillset from a technical perspective. He shows a good first step, is active with his hands, and creates a good bit of disruption despite drawing a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines this past season. I think, ultimately, we project him to slide inside as he gets bigger. I think once he does slide inside at the college level, he has the potential to create a mismatch as a pass-rusher on the interior just given his experience as a pass-rusher at the high school level and his skillsets such as first step quickness, active hands, and overall movement skills.”

The Film

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