Look: Tennessee football's 2024 signing class ... so far

Tennessee football on Wednesday signed all 21 commitments from its 2024 recruiting class, along side three signees out of the NCAA Transfer Portal, on National Signing Day.

The group is currently ranked No. 13 nationally and No. 8 in the SEC with an average class score of 91.40.

Tulane receiver Chris Brazzell II committed to Tennessee on Thursday, but the Vols have not yet announced his signing.

Here’s a more in-depth look at Tennessee’s 2024 signing class so far:

5-star WR Mike Matthews 

Matthews chose Tennesse over Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and others on July 19. He is Tennessee’s highest-rated offensive prospect in the 2024 recruiting class. He was ranked No. 22 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking. He was the No. 6 wide receiver in the country and the No. 4 overall prospect in Georgia.

4-star EDGE Jordan Ross

Ross chose Tennessee on August 21 in a recruitment that had plenty of twists and turns along the way. Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Auburn were all involved in this one at one point. In the end, Tennessee won out, and the Vols continue to stack up high-ceiling prospects who can get after the passer. Ross finished his senior year with 12.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss

4-star WR Braylon Staley

Staley committed to Tennessee on June 30th, choosing the Vols over Clemson, North Carolina and others, at the time. Down the stretch, home state South Carolina made a strong push for his services, but the bond he built with Kelsey Pope and the Vols staff won out in the end. Staley excelled on the field as a senior, hauling in 69 passes for 1186 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is rated as the No.109 overall prospect and 21st-best receiver in the class, according to On3.

4-star ATH Boo Carter

Carter has been one of the most talked about names of any recruit in this cycle, as his recruitment has provided plenty of intrigue. He chose Tennessee over Michigan, Colorado and others on June 17th, during a public commitment from New York City. Still, schools did not quit coming after him, despite Carter maintaining an active presence in recruiting for the Vols’ class. He will start out at Safety for the Vols, but it is very likely they find a way to get him touches in the return game along the way.

4-star CB Kaleb Beasley

Beasley did not waste much time in choosing Tennessee, as he committed to the Vols following a Friday night game in October of 2022. However, as one of the top-rated corners in the class, Tennessee had to fend off Notre Dame and others along the way. Beasley accounted for 29 total turnovers, including 24 interceptions during his time at Lipscomb. He is rated as No.103 overall prospect and 16th-best cornerback in the class.

4-star QB Jake Merklinger

Merklinger, who had an offer from in-state Georgia, ultimately picked the Vols over North Carolina. Tennessee’s coaching staff made Merklinger their priority at the quarterback position and from the get go, Merklinger made it clear how big his relationship is head coach Josh Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle.

4-star OT Bennett Warren 

Tennessee beat out Michigan for Warren’s signature in a grudge match between the two schools. Some close to Warren wanted the Wolverines because of academics, but Tennessee sold them on their academics when he visited and Warren was sold on the SEC and the Tennessee fans. Bennett actually first saw the Vols in a blowout win at LSU in 2022. 

4-star RB Peyton Lewis

Tennessee beat out Penn State, Virginia Tech and South Carolina to name a few for the Virginia running back. Lewis committed to the Vols on May 27. He is the 13th-ranked running back in the 2024 class and he will arrive on campus in January as a mid-term enrollee. Lewis was state champion sprinter in track in 2023 and led his football team to the state championship game this fall where they lost on the final play in regulation.

4-star OL William Satterwhite

The versatile offensive lineman chose Tennessee over Clemson on July 7 in a recruitment that went back and forth for months. Satterwhite was an important addition to Tennessee’s 2024 class, as he can play multiple spots on the interior of the offensive line.

4-star OL Max Anderson

Anderson committed to Tennessee on June 21 and chose the Vols over Oklahoma and others. He is a versatile offensive line prospect who can play a variety of positions at Tennessee. He will likely get his start at guard.

4-star LB Edwin Spillman

Spillman chose Tennessee over Ohio State on July 21. The No.277 overall prospect in the On3  rankings had been a priority for Brian Jean-Mary for well over a year. Spillman is a tackling machine, who helped Lipscomb to two state championships during his high school run. He is rated as the 21st-best linebacker in the class.

4-star EDGE Kellen Lindstrom

Lindstrom committed to Tennessee in May, choosing the Vols over Missouri and others at the time. He was one of Tennessee’s top prospects at the EDGE position, and his connection with Mike Ekeler propelled the Vols in this recruitment.

4-star LB Jordan Burns

Burns committed to Tennessee on June 20, choosing the Vols over Arkansas and Georgia Tech, among others. Tennessee honed in on him early as a versatile defender, who has the potential to develop into a three-down linebacker at the next level.

4-star DB Marcus Goree

Goree was an early in-state priority for the Vols, and he wasted little time in joining the class, as he chose Tennessee on February 18. Goree’s length and athleticism will allow him to play multiple positions in the Tennessee secondary, but he will likely get his start at cornerback. 

3-star EDGE Jamal Wallace

Wallace started to gain traction once his junior college film circulated. He expressed immediate interest in Tennessee, even calling it his “dream school.” He navigated the process throughout the JUCO season, but the Vols paced the way for the majority of this recruitment. After this past weekend in Knoxville, he did not want to wait any longer to make the call, as he committed on December 17th.

3-star DL Jeremias Heard

Heard committed to Tennessee in April, as the Vols were his only offer at the time, despite other schools like Alabama and Georgia reaching out in hopes of getting him to camp and learn more about him. Heard’s elite measurables and short time playing football, will give Tennessee the opportunity to mold him into whatever position he may end up playing at the college level.

3-star DB Edrees Farooq

Farooq chose Tennessee on April 6th, as the Vols made him an early priority in the class. He made plays all across the secondary at perennial national powerhouse St.Frances Academy this past fall. His efforts earned him an invitation to the Under Armour All-American game in January, where he will compete against some of the nation’s top prospects. Farooq is rated as the No.616 overall prospect in the class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

3-star OT Gage Ginther

Ginther committed to Tennessee on April 8, choosing the Vols over Colorado and others at the time. Ginther’s versatility is something Tennessee coveted early on, and his athleticism should give him plenty of opportunity along the offensive line. He is rated the No.622 overall prospect in the class and is the top-rated prospect from the state of Colorado.

3-star OL Jesse Perry

Perry’s recruitment surged after his Junior film started to circulate, but it did not take long for him to settle in on the home state program. He committed to Tennessee on April 7, choosing the Vols over Duke and others at the time. He is a versatile offensive lineman with plenty of upside and the ability to play multiple positions as he adds to his frame.

3-star DL Carson Gentle 

The defensive lineman chose Tennessee over Ole Miss and Indiana on July 23rd in a recruitment that was really over once the Vols offered.  Gentle is a guy that veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner really liked after camp and evaluation. Gentle is a versatile athlete who also played tight end for McCallie and had a touchdown catch in the state championship game and he also is a wrestler.

3-star TE Cole Harrison

The California tight end picked the Vols on the eve of signing day choosing Tennessee over Washington State where he visited on December 1. Tennessee convinced Harrison to visit last weekend and landed him based on that visit.

4-star TE Holden Staes

Staes became Tennessee’s first commitment out of the NCAA Transfer Portal in this cycle on December 15. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound Staes spent the last two seasons with the Fighting Irish. He caught 15 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games this season, after catching one pass for 11 yards as a freshman in 2022. He was a four-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class out of Westminster School in Atlanta, Ga. 

3-star CB Jermod McCoy

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety over the last two seasons at Oregon State had 108 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, to go with eight passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He had 37 tackles in 12 games in 2022, with 1.0 tackles for loss and all four interceptions, in 2022. He had 71 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss, in 11 games this season. 

3-star DB Jakobe Thomas

Thomas flipped to Tennessee on December 16, giving the Vols .The 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety over the last two seasons had 108 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, to go with eight passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He had 37 tackles in 12 games in 2022, with 1.0 tackles for loss and all four interceptions, in 2022. He had 71 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss, in 11 games this season.