When Tennessee and Georgia square off Saturday in Athens, the SEC East showdown will feature two teams ranked in the top 10 of the ESPN class rankings. As it seems to be every year, the Volunteers and Bulldogs are once again going head-to-head over several top prospects throughout the Southeast. Here is a closer look at how five recruiting battles between the two schools are shaping up.
ATH, DeAngelo Gibbs
The five-star athlete from Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia has had the Bulldogs and Volunteers near or at the top of his list for some time. While many believed the in-state Bulldogs were the team to beat, Gibbs visited Tennessee for its big win over Florida last weekend and came away impressed with his experience. Look for this battle to go down to the wire.
DE, Malik Herring
The No. 83 player in the ESPN 300 and Forsyth, Georgia native was thought by many to be a lock for the home-state Georgia Bulldogs, but much like Gibbs, his recent visit to Tennessee could have pulled the Volunteers even. In fact, when asked how his visit to Tennessee went last weekend, Herring responded with a simple, “Ol’ Rocky Top could be the place for me.”
DE, Markaviest Bryant
Another Georgia native ranked in the top 100 of the ESPN 300 (No. 91), Bryant is being recruited by all the top programs in the South including Tennessee, Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, LSU and Clemson. While Tennessee might be trailing some of the other teams at this point, a big year from the Volunteers could grab the attention of the talented pass rusher.
WR, Jeremiah Holloman
Once again another Georgia native is torn between Georgia and Tennessee. The four-star pass catcher was at Neyland Stadium for the Vols' huge win over the Gators last week and will be at Georgia's Samford Stadium this weekend. While Georgia appears to have a leg up at this point, the more Holloman sees the Vols play, the better chance Tennessee has to pull this electric playmaker away from the in-state Bulldogs.
RB, Cam Akers
If either Tennessee or Georgia wants to land this talented running back, they will certainly have a battle on their hands. Akers has a list of top schools that includes Auburn, Alabama, Ohio State, Ole Miss, LSU, Cal, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State and Michigan. Georgia has a history of landing talented backs. Tennessee, on the other hand, is off to a 4-0 start and win over the Bulldogs could help the Volunteers chances.
ATH, DeAngelo Gibbs
The five-star athlete from Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia has had the Bulldogs and Volunteers near or at the top of his list for some time. While many believed the in-state Bulldogs were the team to beat, Gibbs visited Tennessee for its big win over Florida last weekend and came away impressed with his experience. Look for this battle to go down to the wire.
DE, Malik Herring
The No. 83 player in the ESPN 300 and Forsyth, Georgia native was thought by many to be a lock for the home-state Georgia Bulldogs, but much like Gibbs, his recent visit to Tennessee could have pulled the Volunteers even. In fact, when asked how his visit to Tennessee went last weekend, Herring responded with a simple, “Ol’ Rocky Top could be the place for me.”
DE, Markaviest Bryant
Another Georgia native ranked in the top 100 of the ESPN 300 (No. 91), Bryant is being recruited by all the top programs in the South including Tennessee, Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, LSU and Clemson. While Tennessee might be trailing some of the other teams at this point, a big year from the Volunteers could grab the attention of the talented pass rusher.
WR, Jeremiah Holloman
Once again another Georgia native is torn between Georgia and Tennessee. The four-star pass catcher was at Neyland Stadium for the Vols' huge win over the Gators last week and will be at Georgia's Samford Stadium this weekend. While Georgia appears to have a leg up at this point, the more Holloman sees the Vols play, the better chance Tennessee has to pull this electric playmaker away from the in-state Bulldogs.
RB, Cam Akers
If either Tennessee or Georgia wants to land this talented running back, they will certainly have a battle on their hands. Akers has a list of top schools that includes Auburn, Alabama, Ohio State, Ole Miss, LSU, Cal, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State and Michigan. Georgia has a history of landing talented backs. Tennessee, on the other hand, is off to a 4-0 start and win over the Bulldogs could help the Volunteers chances.
