The Tennessee coaching staff continues their strong push on the recruiting trail – reeling in the program’s ninth commit for first-year head coach Josh Heupel’s inaugural class. Marquarius White is the third 2022 commit in six days for the Vols – the fourth overall during the span (transfer Brandon Turnage).

The three-star is Tennessee’s first receiver in the class. He’s 5-foot-11, 165-pounds and tabbed as the 80th-best prospect at his position, per Rivals. White officially visited Knoxville the last weekend of June and chose the Volunteers over Louisville.

Ole Miss and Virginia Tech were among the finalists as well.

Here’s a detailed look at what a Marquarius White commitment means for Tennessee.

“Marquarius is an outstanding football player. He has elite speed and can pretty much do everything. As good of a football player that he is, he’s a better person. He’s a quiet kid but when he talks, everybody listens. He comes to work every day and works his tail off. Everybody around him feeds off it.”

-- Drew Gilmer, Clay-Chalkville head coach

Marquarius White is a burner and that speed is his best asset. On film, the Volunteer commit can be seen primarily lined up in the slot but can also go to the outside or even stack up in the backfield. He has the speed to split a two-safety look up top or outrun a corner on a wheel route to the sideline.

At the 6-A level for Clay-Chalkville, White uses this speed to torch defenders in both man and zone coverages. The team has White take the top off the defense down the field or use him as a possession receiver when trying to move the chains. The wideout also makes plays at or near the line of scrimmage on both tunnel and bubble screens – as well as jet sweeps or even Utah passes when put in motion.

Route running is good but will require additional refinery at the next level as Southeastern Conference safeties and corners are much faster than his competition now. White is also a force in special teams, returning both kicks and punts. He has great vision in deciphering which lane to take up the middle or when to hit the sideline for a big return.

Tennessee gets its first of what hopes to be several wide receiver commits for the class of 2022. The Vols are still heavily in the mix for in-state prospects Cameron Miller, Isaiah Horton and Kaydin Pope who will likely make decisions in the coming weeks-to-month.

White is the first, however, and is a great fit for this Josh Heupel offense. His speed can be utilized in the slot in the down-the-field passing game or in the quick-passing game near the markers. He should get a look on special teams right away. At 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Tennessee would like to add some weight to him - but not enough to slow him down.

The Pinson, Ala. native will join a position group that looks to replace Velus Jones Jr. in 2022 and potentially more. He’ll learn right away while observing Jalin Hyatt, the Jimmy’s, Ramel Keyton, Andison Coby and Walker Merrill – most of whom repped at different alignments in spring.