First Look: 20 prospects to know in 2020 class
Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt and his staff gave Vol fans plenty of Christmas cheer the last week by adding 19 signees and former 5-star defensive tackle and Michigan transfer Aubrey Soloman.
The Vol staff will be looking to stock more talent in January by courting top targets like 5-star tackle Darnell Wright to close out the class of 2019.
However, the focus for Pruitt and the staff next month won't just be on the Class of 2019. Heavy attention in January will be given to the Class of 2020, too.
“You have a really good idea when you go out on the 11th where you are at with your numbers. Everyone is going to start their junior recruiting as they are still filling their last remaining spots. With the recruiting calendar, you have to do that. The old May has now become January. It has all moved up a little bit,” Pruitt said last week.
With a sped up calendar, here are 20 names to know in the class of 2020 in an early wish list.
Baron has ties to the Tennessee staff, which should give the Vols an edge. He provides size, speed and athleticism on the edge of the defense. Tennessee could use a good kick start to 2020 and Baron is a prime candidate.
Bigsby is one of the top tailbacks in the 2020 class. Tennessee has work to get in the door with the Peach State native, as Auburn, UGA and South Carolina are currently out in front of Bigsby's recruitment.
Eason is among the many in-state prospects Tennessee's staff covets in the 2020 class. The inside linebacker is a thumper and a three-year starter on a really good Whitehaven team. He led the Tigers to a state title as a freshman. Eason has visited Rocky Top multiple times in the last year.
The 5-star athlete projects as a tight end and is teammates with Tennessee 2020 quarterback commit Harrison Bailey. Gilbert has visited Knoxville a couple times before and the Vols are among the early contenders for the Top 10 talent.
Grimes is very familiar with Pruitt and his staff. Tennessee targeted the Alabama legacy when they first got to campus and have been near the top for Grimes ever since. Alabama is the natural prediction here, but Grimes likes Pruitt and that gives them a shot.
The Memphis native doesn’t have a Vol offer but after a big time junior year that saw his stock rise dramatically, Henderson is certainly on the Vols radar and will be evaluated in January. West Tennessee is a real priority for Pruitt and company so you can bet the Memphis University School prospect will get January attention.
Hodge played a key role in Maryville's success the last two seasons. The big question centers around where he will play in college? He could help at running back or linebacker. His uncle is former Kentucky Wildcat Randall Cobb, which gives the Cats a natural tie. Tennessee is just 20 minutes down the road but how hard does Tennessee push to get him in the boat this spring?
Lawrence plays a position of need and has been to campus several times. He and his teammate Tyler Baron frequent Knoxville. Clemson is also heavily in the mix with Terry Fair and Jeremy Pruitt making him a top priority.
Mays has been a favorite of Will Friend and Jeremy Pruitt since last spring. The questions have always surrounded his size and whether he would follow his brother to Georgia? He is now 6-foot-3 and 271 pounds with question No. 2 to be answered over the next year.
Mayes made a pair of trips to Tennessee in 2018. The Top 150 prospect is a priority for North Carolina and NC State but Tennessee has continued to make a strong footprint in the Tar Heel State under Pruitt.
Tennessee’s recruiting footprint has extended into North Carolina as evident by the signing of Quavaris Crouch. The Vols weren’t just targeting one prospect in Charlotte. Brian Neidermeyer and the Vol staff is trying to blanket the Queen City and the speedy receiver is a priority. When the Vols have been at their best the Tar Heel state has been represented in orange and white.
Murphy is one of the best defensive lineman in the 2020 class and was teammates with Tennessee safety signee Jaylen McCollough at Hillgrove. Murphy attended the Tennessee-Alabama game here in October. Clemson, UGA and Alabama are the early favorites for the the All-American end.
Ojulari has been a frequent visitor in Knoxville over the last year. He has a prior relationship with DC Kevin Sherrer, who recruited his older brother Azeez to Georgia in 2017. Like several top Tennessee targets in the 2020 class, Ojulari also plays at Marietta High (Ga.)
Ratledge grew up in the Cleveland area before moving to North Georgia. His family roots are deeply orange, but Alabama and Georgia have made him a priority. He has been to Knoxville multiple times since Pruitt’s arrival and will be one of the biggest priorities in this class.
The 5-star guard made multiple trips to Knoxville in 2018. Rodgers has a nice relationship with OL coach Will Friend and hails from the same school as John Kelly. Tennessee, Georgia and Michigan are the early favorites for Rodgers, with Ohio State lingering, too.
Story committed to Tennessee in March before re-opening his recruitment in September. The Vols are still involved here, liking Story's size and length on defense. In-state schools Alabama and Auburn are viewed as the frontrunners now, though.
Thomas made three trips to Tennessee in 2018 and received a visit from the staff in December. The Briarcrest Christian product could play OL or DL at the next level, with Tennessee currently recruiting him for defense. Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M are all involved here, too.
Turner is another west Tennessee product the Vols covet. LSU got an early commitment from the 6-3, 195 wide receiver. But everyone is still coming after the Top 100 player. And that includes Jeremy Pruitt and David Johnson. Turner had a huge junior year and saw his ranking jump from 180 nationally in August to 85 earlier this month.
Washington is anything but a hidden gem. The five-star tight end from Las Vegas is wanted by everyone. At 6-7, 255 pounds, Washington has offers from all over the country. Washington is an every down tight end capable of blocking in line as well as splitting out wide which is why he’s one of the top 25 prospects in the country.
Wyman is a top 200 player who has long had the Vols on his radar. At 6-4, 200 pounds he fits the receiver profile that Tennessee has been recruiting in big receivers. Wyman is another North Carolina prospect showing just how important that state is on the Vols recruiting landscape. Wyman is also a December graduate and will likely make an early decision.