Timeline: How Tennessee football's 2024 recruiting class has come together so far

Tennessee football added another commitment to its 2024 class Friday afternoon when four-star Ohio interior offensive lineman William Satterwhite picked the Vols over Clemson. Tennessee now has 16 commitments in the class, including 11 four-star prospects and now four offensive linemen.

Since June 17, Josh Heupel and his staff have added five commitments. There were four in June, over a two-week stretch, and two more added in May. Before Satterwhite’s commitment, the Vols ranked 14th nationally in the 2024 On3 Team Recruiting Rankings and were fourth in the SEC with a class score of 90.18.

With the addition of Satterwhite, Tennessee is now No. 12 nationally, No. 5 in the SEC and has a class score of 90.55.

Here’s a timeline looking back at how the 2024 class has come together for the Vols so far:

Tennessee Football 2024 Recruiting Class

July 7 — Four-star interior offensive lineman William Satterwhite
6-3, 295, 4-Star IOL (Akron, OH) | On3 Industry Ranking: 210 | 13 IOL | 7 OH
June 30 — Four-star wide receiver Braylon Staley
6-0, 180, 4-Star WR (Aiken, SC) | On3 Industry Ranking: 152| 27 WR | 3 SC
June 21 — Four-star interior offensive lineman Max Anderson
6-5, 300, 4-Star OT (Frisco, Tex.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 199 NATL, 11 IOL, 38 TX
June 20 — Four-star linebacker Jordan Burns
6-1.5, 215, 4-Star LB (Atlanta, Ga.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 379 NATL, 38 LB, 45 GA
June 17 — Four-star athlete Boo Carter
5-10, 180, 4-Star ATH (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 195 NATL, 7 ATH, 2 TN

May 27 — Four-star running back Peyton Lewis
6-1, 190, 4-Star RB (Salem, Va.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 191 | 15 RB | 4 VA
May 5 — Four-star EDGE Kellen Lindstrom
6-6, 240, 4-Star EDGE (Springfield, Mo.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 262 NATL, 19 EDGE, 7 MO

April 21 — Three-star defensive lineman Jeremias Heard
6-8, 293, 3-Star OT (Rome, Ga.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 1041 NATL, 96 DL, 121 GA
April 16 — Three-star safety Edrees Farooq
5-11, 180, 3-Star S (Baltimore, Md.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 554 NATL, 54 S, 17 MD
April 8 — Three-star offensive tackle Gage Ginther
6-4, 236, 3-Star OT (Fort Collins, Col.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 600 | 37 OT | 1 CO
April 7 — Three-star offensive tackle Jesse Perry
6-6, 275, 3-Star OT (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 946 NATL, 70 OT, 32 TN

March 30 — Four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger
6-3, 195, 4-Star QB | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 110 NATL, No. 9 QB, No. 16 GA
February 18 — Four-star safety Marcus Goree
6-1, 170, 4-Star S (Cleveland, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 364 NATL, 32 S, 9 TN

October 21, 2022 — Four-star corner Kaleb Beasley
6-0, 180, 4-Star CB (Nashville, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 151 NATL, No. 19 CB, No. 1 TN
July 23, 2022 — Three-star defensive lineman Carson Gentle
6-4, 236, 3-Star DL (Chattanooga, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 825 NATL, 77 DL, 26 TN
July 4, 2022 — Four-star tight end Jonathan Echols
6-3.5, 215, 4-Star TE (Franklin, Ga.) | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 142 NATL, No. 11 TE, No. 22 FL

On3 Scouting Reports

Jake Merklinger: Accurate, mobile passer with a strong feel for the game early on in his high school career. Among the more accurate top quarterbacks in the 2024 cycle, completing over 70 percent of his passes as a sophomore. Comfortable navigating the pocket. Sees the field well, finding open receivers while under pressure. Shows the ability to quickly react and escape from pass rushers. Functional mobility both in and out of the pocket is among the best among top 2024 quarterbacks at this juncture. Can pick up chunks of yards with his legs on designed runs and scrambles. Has shown a good arm to this point, but can continue improving his velocity as he gets stronger, in addition to tightening his release. A multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and lacrosse.

Jonathan Echols: Do-it-all athlete who looks to best project as an EDGE prospect long-term. Played multiple positions for his high school, working as a quarterback, receiver and pass rusher/linebacker. Makes big plays in every phase. Shows high-level play speed in running down plays in pursuit as a defender. Doubles as a playmaker with the ball in his hands on offense. Tested as a plus athlete in the off-season prior to his junior season at 6-foot-3.5, 212 pounds. Transferred to IMG Academy for his junior season. Will need to hammer down a long-term position once he assimilates to the IMG program.