Tennessee is continuing to make the mid-state a priority in recruiting. The Vols want to win the state each cycle, so recruiting and signing prospects out of Nashville and surrounding areas is of high importance.
The Vols signed Elijah Herring and now have brother Caleb Herring in the committed class. Nathan Robinson and Ayden Bussell are 2023 commits. Tennessee has locked up Nate Spillman of Lipscomb Academy for this cycle, and naturally, brother Edwin Spillman is a huge target for 2024.
There are other examples – no doubt – but landing the younger Spillman would be another step in the right direction for this staff who is hoping to ‘close the border’ from here on out.
On that note, Edwin Spillman was once again on campus this weekend – taking part in the final prospect camp for the month of June.
“It was a good camp. I really came to learn from coach BJ [Brian Jean-Mary] and to see what his coaching style was – stuff like that,” Spillman told Volquest afterwards. “That’s really the only reason I came, to see that, but it was a really fun camp. I liked it.
“Every time I come to Tennessee, I’m learning more about the program and everything in the community and stuff like that. It’ always a huge learning experience.”
Obviously, the linebacker has a comfort level with Tennessee. He’s already been here several times over the course of the past year and his family trusts the staff enough to allow Nate to commit to the Vols.
Sunday was really about seeing what he could learn about and from Jean-Mary, who could be his position coach if he, too, elects to wear the Orange.
“He taught me that when I’m in my [pass] drops, to run and not look back at the ball until you fully get there and see the receiver’s hands go up,” Spillman said of the workout. “Coach BJ told me to keep my head down and to keep on running until you get there. I am also learning what he expects from his players and how they must go hard all the time. He’s real with them. I feel like that’s how I play.”
Having the opportunity to play with his brother, Nate, once again would be a dream come true. That will be a big pitch for Tennessee and why it’s considered the leader in the early-going. In the same sense, however, the younger Spillman knows he must make the right decision for himself at the end of the day.
“It’s been going well with Tennessee,” the linebacker said. “They got my brother, obviously, and it was fun to see what his process was and all that. I’m over here looking at everything from afar.
“It would be very neat to play with him again one day. We both had dreams to come in and play for a college [together] and stuff like that. It’s been a dream for him – he’s getting his dream – and Tennessee is recruiting me too. Nate is recruiting me, but he’s also letting me go through the process for myself.”
That process includes 23 offers to date with trips to Tennessee, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Louisville recently. Spillman will likely cut down his offer list in the coming months, but will continue to gather information on programs and travel over the next year.
“I haven’t really set up my fall plans yet, but I’ll probably go to Tennessee, Ohio State, Oklahoma and probably Clemson and some other schools,” the prospect concluded.
A four-star, Spillman is used in a variety of roles at Lipscomb Academy. He can play off the edge to rush the quarterback or line up back in the middle as more of a traditional linebacker. The latter is likely how he’ll be used as a junior this fall.
The Nashville, Tenn. native is ranked as the 72nd-best prospect in the 2024 class and the top-ranked player in Tennessee. Spillman is tabbed as the fifth-best outside linebacker in the cycle and owns a Rivals Rating of 5.9.
