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VQ National Signing Day Central: Live updates as Tennessee signs its 2024 recruiting class

4A3DA472-0F39-4C89-9987-5851509375C0by:Matt Ray•12/20/23•

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Credit: On3 Staff

The NCAA Early Signing Period is officially underway as recruits are now eligible to send in their National Letter of Intents to the program of their choosing. Tennessee will officially introduce their 2024 signees throughout the day on Wednesday.

The class currently 21 commitments, one five-star prospect, 14 four-star prospects, six three-star prospects, and three players from the transfer portal.

Tennessee is expected to have a quieter day on this front, as the majority of their class is already on campus for bowl practice, and the other commitments are expected to send their letter of intent without issue as the day progresses.

Tennessee’s 2024 class enters the signing period ranked No.13 nationally and 8th in the SEC, with a class score of 91.40. The headliners of the class include five-star Mike Matthews and top-35 EDGE Jordan Ross.

Braylon Staley is the highest-rated four-star offensive prospect, while Boo Carter is the highest-rated defender in the class behind Ross.

Since the NCAA transfer portal window opened earlier this month, Tennessee has been active by adding Notre Dame Tight End Holden Staes, MTSU Safety Jakobe Thomas and Oregon State Cornerback Jermod McCoy.

A majority of Tennessee’s 2023 class is already on campus and participating in bowl practices, as the Vols are preparing for a Citrus Bowl clash at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on January 1st.

Storylines to Watch

New Jersey defensive lineman Maraad Watson saw his recruitment pick up pace in a matter of hours, after Tennessee and Nebraska offered earlier this month. He was in Knoxville last weekend for an official visit. There is belief that he will sign during the early signing period on Wednesday, as this one comes down to Tennessee and Syracuse. The Orange, under the leadership of new head coach Fran Brown, appear to be in the best position leading into this one.

Will Louisiana Defensive Lineman Dominick McKinley sign during the early window? If he doesn’t, it creates an opening for Tennessee to make a late push. The Vols were in-home earlier this month and it went well, but several programs are pushing him to sign in December, so this is one definitely worth monitoring.

Tennessee 2024 Signings (21)

DL Carson Gentle (7:05 am) 6-3, 236 pounds- Chattanooga (Tennessee) McCallie School 

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.

OL Max Anderson (7:12 am) 6-5, 300 pounds- Frisco (Texas) Reedy High School

Anderson committed to Tennessee on June 21st 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.

RB Peyton Lewis (7:15 am) 6-0, 190 pounds- Salem (Virginia) Salem High School

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 27th. 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.

DL Jeremias Heard (7:21 am) 6-8, 295 pounds- Rome (Ga.) Model High School

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.

LB Jordan Burns (7:31 am) 6-1.5, 215 pounds- Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy

Burns committed to Tennessee on June 20th, 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.

OL William Satterwhite (7:37 am), 6-3, 295 pounds – Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban

The versatile offensive lineman chose Tennessee over Clemson on July 7th 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.

LS Marshall Box (7:43 am), 6-0, 185 pounds, Jackson (TN) University School of Jackson High school

LB Edwin Spillman (8:05 am) 6-1, 220 pounds- Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy

Spillman chose Tennessee over Ohio State on July 21st. 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.

DL Kellen Lindstrom (8:10 am) 6-6, 240 pounds- Birmingham (Ala.)Vestavia Hills High School

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. Lindstrom’s a tackling machine with a relentless motor on film and flies to the football. As he continues to develop as a passer, he will become a three-down defender for the Vols. He is rated as the No.299 overall prospect and 32nd-best EDGE in the class.

CB Kaleb Beasley (8:14 am) 6-0, 180 pounds- Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy

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.

DL Jordan Ross (8:22 am) 6-4.5, 215 pounds- Birmingham (Ala.)Vestavia Hills High School

Ross chose Tennessee on August 21st 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

OL Jesse Perry (8:26 am) 6-6, 275 pounds- Murfreesboro(Tenn.) Middle Tennessee Christian School

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 7th, 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. He is the No.756th overall prospect in the class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He finished his prep career with a state championship victory in late November.

OT Bennett Warren (8:31 am) 6-7, 330 pounds- Sugar Land (Texas) Fort Bend Christian Academy 

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. He visited Tennessee officially the following June and fell in love with Knoxville. Diligent in the process, Warren took official visits to Michigan, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma before picking the Vols in July.

A true tackle, Warren finds himself in a position to potentially have a big impact on the Vols early in his career.

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DB Jackson Matthews (9:00 am)

ATH Boo Carter (9:17 am) 5-10, 180 pounds- Cleveland (Tenn.) Bradley Central High School

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, as he is extremely dynamic with the ball in his hands. He excelled on the field this fall, as he accounted for 2,795 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns. His efforts led to him earning the Class 6A Mr. Football award.

QB Jake Merklinger (9:20 am) 6-3, 195 pounds- Savannah (Georgia) Calvary Day School

A consensus top-10 quarterback, Merklinger had a big senior year leading his team into a deep playoff run. Merklinger is already on Rocky Top going through bowl practice to get a jump start on acclimation on campus and in the offense.

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.

DB Marcus Goree (9:30 am) 6-1, 170 pounds- Cleveland (Tenn.) Bradley Central High School

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 18th. 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. As he grows and develops, he is a prospect believed to have a high ceiling. He helped Bradley Central to a deep run in the 6A state playoffs this fall. He is rated the No.463 overall prospect and No.10 player from the state of Tennessee in the 2024 On3 Industry Rankings.

WR Braylon Staley (9:34 am) 6-0, 180-pounds- Aiken (S.C.) (Strom Thurmond High School)

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.

The touted pass catcher’s vertical ability is an ideal fit for Tennessee’s up-tempo style of play. 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.

WR Mike Matthews (9:43 am) 6-0.5, 180-pounds- Lilburn, Ga. (Parkview High School)

Matthews chose Tennesse over Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and others on July 19th. He is Tennessee’s highest-rated offensive prospect in the 2024 recruiting class.

DB Edrees Farooq (9:46 am) 5-11, 180 pounds- Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy

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.

OL Gage Ginther (9:52 am) 6-6, 280 pounds- Fort Collins (Colo.) Fossil Ridge High School

Ginther knew Tennessee was the place for him after a cross-country trip to Rocky Top early in the spring. He went back home and committed to the Vols on April 8th, choosing them 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.

DL Jamal Wallace (10:15 am) 6-4, 270 pounds- Sierra College (Calif.)

Wallace was a later in the cycle evaluation for most schools, as he 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 Junior College 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.

Once he arrives at Tennessee, he will likely start as a defensive end and work his way into playing various techniques. He is rated as the No.34 prospect in the On3 Junior College Rankings.

TE Cole Harrison (10:44 a.m.) 6-6, 215 pounds- San Mateo (California) Junipero Serra High School

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

Tennessee had always liked Harrison’s upside as a prospect but had other high school tight ends ahead of him on their board. However, as the season went on, some of those tight ends went elsewhere and Harrison produced more and more. When Jonathan Echols decommitted, Tennessee made a push for Harrison. After an in home visit, the coaching staff convinced Harrison to take a visit.

As a senior Harrison had 8 touchdowns and 600 yards on 32 catches. Harrison adds much needed high school depth to the tight end room that’s light on numbers.

LB Eli Purcell (10:51 am)

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