We’ll have plenty of story updates from yesterday’s regional in Murfreesboro including the-already-released pieces on 4-star targets Tank Bigsby, Keshawn Lawerence and Octavious Oxedine, as well as a video breakdown of several OL/DL priorities.
But since many updates won’t be released for several days, here’s some rapid reactions from the event…
There are truly some talented offensive and defensive lineman from the Volunteer State in 2020. Cooper Mays weighed in at 275 pounds and easily bested interior DTs like Dietrick Pennington, who weigh around 300 pounds. Mays will always battle size concerns, but in both Charlotte and Nashville, he’s shown great balance and quickness. If he can hold 295 or more, he’ll be a real player at the next level. Mays seems primed for a ratings bump, too. This one may drag out longer than many like, but Tennessee is still the likeliest destination for Mays.
Tyler Baron took home the DL MVP Award, beating out guys like 5-star Reggie Grimes, Oxedine, a couple blue-chippers from Ohio and others. This was the first camp setting I’ve seen from him, and he didn’t disappoint. He has an array of pass rush moves and is really competitive. Ohio State is a factor but some folks yesterday insisted Tennessee remains in a good spot. Baron remained mostly mum on his recruitment.
Mays, Baron and Lawrence were all a part of the group in town for the paint ball event Saturday at Tennessee. The in-state trio loved the “change up” from a traditional visit weekend. Jeremy Pruitt apparently got popped in the head. Tennessee is likely to do the event again for prospects next month, perhaps at night. Lawerence earned an invite to the Opening Finals after posting one of the better SPARQ scores, clocking a 4.59 at 195 pounds, jumping 39.5 inches and a 3-cone of 4.06 seconds — all scores in the 99th percentile. He's developed a quick rapport with Derrick Ansley.
Grimes was the Adam Dunn of the event. When he had a strong rep, his homers looked better than anyone there. The issue where the Ks. It only happened a couple times because his ridiculous athleticism (weighted in at 6-5, 240 pounds and ran a 4.6) allowed him to blow past some good OL, but when guys got their hands on Grimes, he struggled to counter or recover. Grimes plans to OV with the Vols either next month or early fall. He was adamant that despite his ties to Alabama, no decision has been made or “else I definitely would already be committed.”
Chris Morris was extremely consistent Sunday. A bubbly personality, he never stopped talking or competing. He relished every rep, talked trash, sang songs, joked with OL and DL and won about every time. The Memphis native said his spring at Central has gone well. Ohio State has entered the picture with him, replacing Alabama. This is a 3-horse race with Tennessee, Texas A&M and OSU, with Arkansas and Auburn in the picture but on the edges of the frame. Morris ‘FaceTimed’ Pruitt right after the event. We’ll see Morris several more times this summer, with two planned trips to Tennessee (to camp and OV) and at the Rivals 5-star Challenge.
As well as Mays and Morris did, neither won OL MVP, as the award went Keegan Smith, a 6-4, 280-pound guard from Michigan. The dude was nasty. He got busted in the face/nose early in 1-on-1s when a DL stupidly bull-rushed him. He bounced right back and continuously stoned guys. He doesn’t have a Power 5 offer yet but that will likely change fast. I also thought Duke OT commit Graham Barton, from Ravenwood, was really consistent and won some big-boy reps, too.
Couple other OL/DL thoughts: Eli Sutton, the Brentwood 2021 standout, is still a work in progress as a pass protector but he has a nice frame. … New OLB/DE offer Corbet Mims had a couple explosive reps. … Former FRA now Memphis Central DL Renard Gywnn flashed as an edge rusher. He struggled on DT reps but beat 5-star Paris Johnson when he slid outside. Johnson eliminated Tennessee from consideration.
There were a ton of tailbacks in attendance but Bigsby was easily the “get of the bus” dude. The Peach State native is really well put together and can move for his size. He put in-state middle linebacker Martavious French on skates twice. Tennessee is a legit factor with Bigsby, who attended the camp sporting UT gloves, but South Carolina remains the current frontrunner. The Vols are working to change that.
I don’t know his official time yet (it will be posted at some point soon) but local tailback Elijah Howard told me he hoped to run a 4.3 Sunday. Howard did display his lightening quickness during the cat-mouse drill. It’s all about strength and weight for him. He’s transferring to Baylor for his last two years of high school. He plans to camp at Tennessee, Alabama, Clemson and elsewhere this summer. Notably, most every school (except the Tigers) prefer him at nickel/STAR.
Know there's been discussion on here about how hard UT is recruiting local RB Elijah Young, but the South Doyle native said the Vols are talking to him, but definitely not pursuing him as hard as Kentucky and Mississippi State. Young was adamant that he plans to play RB in college.
On in-state prospect Tennessee is currently evaluating is Blackman safety Dajean Gibson. The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back holds 10 offers, including Arkansas. He’s a guy the Vols hope comes to camp this summer.
I caught up with 2021 tight end Jake Briningstool just before he started to workout Sunday. The Ravenwood sophomore recently picked up a UT offer. Bringstool is a lean 6-6, 225 pounds but has excellent ball skills and body control for an underclassmen. His coach called him a Baby Gronk, a moniker that shouldn’t be tossed around lightly, but Bringstool showcased his ability during 1-on-1s Sunday. He has Michigan State ties but the UT offer earlier this month meant a lot.
Finally, several UT targets were unable to attend the event Sunday, including Treyvonn Rybka, Bryson Eason (who UT has not totally closed the door on recruiting), former RB commit Ebony Jackson and Dee Beckwith.
But since many updates won’t be released for several days, here’s some rapid reactions from the event…
There are truly some talented offensive and defensive lineman from the Volunteer State in 2020. Cooper Mays weighed in at 275 pounds and easily bested interior DTs like Dietrick Pennington, who weigh around 300 pounds. Mays will always battle size concerns, but in both Charlotte and Nashville, he’s shown great balance and quickness. If he can hold 295 or more, he’ll be a real player at the next level. Mays seems primed for a ratings bump, too. This one may drag out longer than many like, but Tennessee is still the likeliest destination for Mays.
Tyler Baron took home the DL MVP Award, beating out guys like 5-star Reggie Grimes, Oxedine, a couple blue-chippers from Ohio and others. This was the first camp setting I’ve seen from him, and he didn’t disappoint. He has an array of pass rush moves and is really competitive. Ohio State is a factor but some folks yesterday insisted Tennessee remains in a good spot. Baron remained mostly mum on his recruitment.
Mays, Baron and Lawrence were all a part of the group in town for the paint ball event Saturday at Tennessee. The in-state trio loved the “change up” from a traditional visit weekend. Jeremy Pruitt apparently got popped in the head. Tennessee is likely to do the event again for prospects next month, perhaps at night. Lawerence earned an invite to the Opening Finals after posting one of the better SPARQ scores, clocking a 4.59 at 195 pounds, jumping 39.5 inches and a 3-cone of 4.06 seconds — all scores in the 99th percentile. He's developed a quick rapport with Derrick Ansley.
Grimes was the Adam Dunn of the event. When he had a strong rep, his homers looked better than anyone there. The issue where the Ks. It only happened a couple times because his ridiculous athleticism (weighted in at 6-5, 240 pounds and ran a 4.6) allowed him to blow past some good OL, but when guys got their hands on Grimes, he struggled to counter or recover. Grimes plans to OV with the Vols either next month or early fall. He was adamant that despite his ties to Alabama, no decision has been made or “else I definitely would already be committed.”
Chris Morris was extremely consistent Sunday. A bubbly personality, he never stopped talking or competing. He relished every rep, talked trash, sang songs, joked with OL and DL and won about every time. The Memphis native said his spring at Central has gone well. Ohio State has entered the picture with him, replacing Alabama. This is a 3-horse race with Tennessee, Texas A&M and OSU, with Arkansas and Auburn in the picture but on the edges of the frame. Morris ‘FaceTimed’ Pruitt right after the event. We’ll see Morris several more times this summer, with two planned trips to Tennessee (to camp and OV) and at the Rivals 5-star Challenge.
As well as Mays and Morris did, neither won OL MVP, as the award went Keegan Smith, a 6-4, 280-pound guard from Michigan. The dude was nasty. He got busted in the face/nose early in 1-on-1s when a DL stupidly bull-rushed him. He bounced right back and continuously stoned guys. He doesn’t have a Power 5 offer yet but that will likely change fast. I also thought Duke OT commit Graham Barton, from Ravenwood, was really consistent and won some big-boy reps, too.
Couple other OL/DL thoughts: Eli Sutton, the Brentwood 2021 standout, is still a work in progress as a pass protector but he has a nice frame. … New OLB/DE offer Corbet Mims had a couple explosive reps. … Former FRA now Memphis Central DL Renard Gywnn flashed as an edge rusher. He struggled on DT reps but beat 5-star Paris Johnson when he slid outside. Johnson eliminated Tennessee from consideration.
There were a ton of tailbacks in attendance but Bigsby was easily the “get of the bus” dude. The Peach State native is really well put together and can move for his size. He put in-state middle linebacker Martavious French on skates twice. Tennessee is a legit factor with Bigsby, who attended the camp sporting UT gloves, but South Carolina remains the current frontrunner. The Vols are working to change that.
I don’t know his official time yet (it will be posted at some point soon) but local tailback Elijah Howard told me he hoped to run a 4.3 Sunday. Howard did display his lightening quickness during the cat-mouse drill. It’s all about strength and weight for him. He’s transferring to Baylor for his last two years of high school. He plans to camp at Tennessee, Alabama, Clemson and elsewhere this summer. Notably, most every school (except the Tigers) prefer him at nickel/STAR.
Know there's been discussion on here about how hard UT is recruiting local RB Elijah Young, but the South Doyle native said the Vols are talking to him, but definitely not pursuing him as hard as Kentucky and Mississippi State. Young was adamant that he plans to play RB in college.
On in-state prospect Tennessee is currently evaluating is Blackman safety Dajean Gibson. The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back holds 10 offers, including Arkansas. He’s a guy the Vols hope comes to camp this summer.
I caught up with 2021 tight end Jake Briningstool just before he started to workout Sunday. The Ravenwood sophomore recently picked up a UT offer. Bringstool is a lean 6-6, 225 pounds but has excellent ball skills and body control for an underclassmen. His coach called him a Baby Gronk, a moniker that shouldn’t be tossed around lightly, but Bringstool showcased his ability during 1-on-1s Sunday. He has Michigan State ties but the UT offer earlier this month meant a lot.
Finally, several UT targets were unable to attend the event Sunday, including Treyvonn Rybka, Bryson Eason (who UT has not totally closed the door on recruiting), former RB commit Ebony Jackson and Dee Beckwith.
