Here's a closer look at nearly all of Tennessee's commits. While grades, stars and rankings are still to be determined, after watching hours of film, our scouts were able to break down these players. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Our scouts' work is not done. Every day they are adding more evaluations into the recruiting database, so keep checking back for more.
RB Jalen Hurd
Hendersonville, Tenn./Beech Senior
College: Tennessee
Hurd is somewhat of a combination of 2013 prospects Thomas Tyner, who signed with Oregon, and Ty Isaac, who signed with USC. He is a tall, straight-line runner with a lengthy, muscular frame and good top-end speed. He perhaps has better measurables than a natural RB skill set.
Complete eval
S Todd Kelly, Jr.
Knoxville, Tenn./Webb
College: Tennessee
Kelly has developed physically from his sophomore to junior year and is a safety prospect who can run, close and hit for big production and momentum-changing plays. Very explosive player. Lacks ideal height and length, but he is well-built, still has very good size at the position and plays bigger on film. Shows good acceleration closing on the ball and has good overall pursuit speed. Excels as a zone defender reading, reacting and playing ball to man. He's quick to get off the mark and close on the football.
Complete eval
RB Treyvon Paulk
Alpharetta, Ga./Milton
College: Tennessee
Paulk has the minimum height but good weight along with excellent playing speed for the running back position at the BCS level. It appears his upper body will be able to support additional bulk over time. He demonstrates power and speed when seemingly corralled. Flashes block willingness, and his ability as a receiver adds a dimension to his game that should allow him to remain on the field in long-yardage situations. Displays outstanding vision, locating creases and getting to the line of scrimmage in a hurry. He incorporates patience and anticipation as a runner, demonstrating the ability to follow blockers. He is difficult to knock off his feet with low tackles.
Complete eval
CB D'Andre Payne
Washington, D.C./Friendship Collegiate Academy
College: Tennessee
Payne is a well-rounded corner from a scheme standpoint and would be higher up our board if he had a bit more size and top-end speed. He grows on you as a total football player the more you watch him and see his intangibles at the position. Has a shorter frame but is a muscular and tightly wound athlete who plays bigger and stronger than his listed measurables suggest. Longer arms for his height, and he uses his length in coverage. Flashes good play speed but might have better burst than top-end speed. Shows good instincts and awareness. He anticipates the pass well and does a good job timing his break.
Complete eval
C Coleman Thomas
Max Meadows, Va./Fort Chiswell
College: Tennessee
Thomas has the size and athleticism for the center position at the BCS level. His long, sturdy frame appears capable of supporting additional body mass over time. He plays with the upper-body strength and strong hands needed to control and maneuver defenders once contact is established. He is efficient handling the shotgun snap. We see the flexibility, balance and agility needed to play on his feet and adjust to quick movement inside the center/guard box. Flashes the quick first step needed to engage defenders with a good fit when drive blocking.
Complete eval
ATH Vic Wharton III
Nashville, Tenn./Independence
College: Tennessee
Wharton is a jack-of-all-trades player as a Wildcat weapon on offense as well as spending significant time on defense at corner and on the perimeter offensively as a wideout. He is ultraversatile and one of those players you can't help but like. Has a lean, muscular frame with adequate height. Wiry frame will need to add bulk and strength, but he's a quick-twitch athlete. Possesses very good speed and acceleration.
Complete eval
TE-Y Ethan Wolf
Minster, Ohio/Minster
College: Tennessee
Wolf is a nice-sized prospect with excellent height, solid bulk and a frame that looks capable of supporting plenty more good needed mass with time in a college weight program. With his size can be an effective and physical in-line blocker. Can deliver a good initial pop with good pad level and gain physical leverage. He flashes the ability to roll his hips at contact, but needs to continue to work on doing that more consistently as he can get overextend.
Complete eval