'Last week during BasketballVols’ run to the Elite 8, Tennessee picked up some good news on the football recruiting front. Ethan Utley, a defensive lineman from Ensworth High School in Nashville, announced his commitment to Tennessee. Utley is a big pickup for Tennessee literally and figuratively. Utley is 6’3” 275 lbs. He has a big frame and actually looks a little skinny for a defensive lineman. He could easily add 20 to 30 lbs. of bodyweight. Tennessee has a number of defensive linemen who fit that size weight profile. Utley, like many a Tennessee commitment, is a multi-sport athlete. He competes in basketball as well as being a member of the Ensworth track & field team.
Utley is Tennessee’s 7th public commitment of the recruiting cycle. Tennessee’s early recruiting class is rated as the 10th best in the country. Utley is rated as a 4-star prospect. He is the third in-state prospect to publicly commit to Tennessee. Utley chose Tennessee over Texas, Michigan, LSU, Georgia. and Florida.
The Utley commitment has fallen off the radar because of Tennessee’s basketball run. However, I would refer to him as an early in the recruiting cycle statement pick up for Tennessee. He was a highly sought after defensive line prospect, at a position of need for Tennessee, coveted by major college programs from all over the country, who appeared to be headed elsewhere to play his college football but a prospect you could not afford to lose to another school.
I spent some time watching some sophomore and junior highlights. He is a much different looking player from his sophomore to his junior season. He was more disruptive, better in getting off blocks and used his hands far better. I would expect similar growth and improvement from his junior year to his senior year.
Utley's best football is in front of him. He is raw and gets by with being bigger and more athletic than the competition right now. He will learn to play to the whistle on every play when he gets to Tennessee, or he’ll hear Coach Garner screaming at him in his dreams. Last season he was in on 35 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 4 forced fumbles.
What Next for Tennessee (Recruiting) 
I’m watching the following in state prospects. Any one of the three who announce their commitment this spring you would have to like Tennessee's chances.
Cam Sparks, the Baylor School, Chattanooga. #1 athlete/prospect in state. Coveted by most every SEC school. Physically, he is built like an outside linebacker who runs like a wide receiver.
Radarious Jackson, Sheffield High School Memphis. Tall rangy athletic wide receiver with speed to stretch the field. Could push George McIntyre and Cam Sparks for #1 in state prospect by the end of the season.
Duane Morris, running back Oakland High School, Murfreesboro. Morris has gone from relative anonymity to amassing over 30 offers in a matter of months. Another prospect coveted by every SEC team. Tennessee seems to have the inside track for now.
Others I’m watching (Recruiting)
Jaelyne Matthews offensive tackle Toms River NJ. “Could be” one of the first offensive lineman prospects on Tennessee’s to come off Tennessee’s recruiting board. Matthews is regarded as one of the top offensive tackles in the nation. He is a fringe top 100 prospect. His top schools are Penn State, Miami, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Lagonza Hayward, Tombs County High School, Lyons, Georgia. Hayward is a top 100 safety prospect. Tennessee is a legitimate threat to beat Georgia, Alabama, and Florida State. Tennessee has been recruiting Hayward for a year and he has been to campus multiple times.
Tennessee Spring Practice: It’s hard to believe spring practice is almost over. 7 practices in. There is good and not so good. Here are some highlights and concerns.
Tennessee Offense
Quarterback: Nico hasn’t disappointed. Wow ...
Running Back: Losing Cam Seldon who was the solid number 2 running back behind Dylan Sampson to a shoulder issue is concerning. Only one running back behind Seldon has suited up for a college game let alone carry the football. Tennessee will look into the portal for an experienced running back who can provide depth and knows how to block.
Offensive Line: Tennessee pretty much knows what it has in its top 6 offensive linemen. There is a second tier of six linemen consisting of redshirt and true freshman that are getting the majority of the practice reps. Practicing against a defensive line that ranks as one of the best in the conference has been daunting but so far, they haven’t backed down. There is another group of offensive linemen running third team who have been passed over.
Wide Receiver: Thornton and Brazzell have been impressive. The freshmen Matthews will challenge for playing time. Could we see more 4 receiver sets this season than in the past?
Tight End: Maybe most surprising group through 7 practices. Davis is healthy and received praise. The transfers are willing blockers and are going to help.
Tennessee Defense:
Defensive Line: Tennessee has a problem most defensive coordinators would love to have. Tennessee literally goes 11 deep along the defensive line. Too, transfer Jaxson Moi, from Stanford, has been one of the biggest surprises of the spring. He is going to be a fixture on the defensive line this fall.
Linebackers: The concern is 3 linebackers who will be counted on this fall are either limited or not practicing. Sophomores Jerimiah Tellander and DeMarcus Smith have taken advantage of their opportunity. Both will have expanded roles this fall.
Cornerbacks and Safety: This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Tennessee is faster and more athletic in the secondary than any other time in Coach Heupel's tenure at Tennessee. Young players like Rickey Gibson, Boo Carter, Jourdan Thomas are going to become household names . They just need experience and the patience of the coaching staff. No more trauma bonding to upper classmen.
Thanks for reading
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