2022 Recruiting Names To Know: Quarterbacks

2022 Recruiting Names To Know: Quarterbacks

Tennessee officially announced two more 2021 signees on Wednesday afternoon. The page now turns towards the 2022 class as Josh Heupel has already hit the ground running, especially with in-state targets. Over the next couple of weeks, VR2 on SI will take a look at each position and names to know on the recruiting trail. Obviously, we start with the quarterback position.

Ty Simpson

If you don't know Simpson's name now, you will. The coveted in-state prospect is the highest-ranked quarterback to come out of the Volunteer state in the modern recruiting era, and he plans to make a college decision on February 19th. Jeremy Pruitt's staff courted Simpson as their top target, and Josh Heupel has prioritized him over the last eight days. Simpson told VR2 on SI he was "intrigued" by Heupel's offense, but is intrigue going to be enough? Simpson, the son of Tennessee-Martin Head Coach, Jason Simpson, knows the game. He knows what his other favorites like Alabama and Clemson do year after year. Simpson will continue to listen to Tennessee, but if he sticks to his February 19th timeline, which could change, but if he does, it does not appear it will favor the Vols. While Tennessee has prioritized Simpson for the better part of two years, he sits atop the board at Alabama, Clemson, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M.

Connor Harrell

Jeremy Pruitt's staff offered the Thompson (Ala.) star during their time in Knoxville, and Josh Heupel's staff at UCF offered him in January, so there is a previous relationship there. Harrell is a guy with tremendous upside as he flashes elite arm talent at times, and he is efficient on the run. He led Thompson to a state championship in Alabama's toughest classification as a Junior, and his game improved week after week. Harrell fits the mold of a Josh Heupel quarterback, and if Simpson leaves the state, making a quick phone call to Harrell only makes sense.

Sam Horn

Sam Horn picked up an offer from Jeremy Pruitt's staff, and he has an extensive history with Tennessee. Both of his parents attended the University, and he currently has a brother, and two cousins enrolled in classes. Horn also holds an offer from Tony Vitello's team to play baseball at the collegiate level, and he hopes to do both. As of earlier this week, Horn has not heard from Tennessee's new staff, but that could obviously change as he continues to keep his options open. His recruiting stock soared while helping Collins Hill (Ga.) to a state championship appearance. Horn seems to be another obvious option for Tennessee moving forward.

Braden Davis

Davis, the son of former Tennessee great, Antone Davis, is a national quarterback prospect, and he is a dual-threat quarterback who possesses desirable arm talent. He held a verbal offer from Jeremy Pruitt's staff, and one phone from Josh Heupel would quickly reaffirm that. Davis has over 25 Division 1 offers, including Clemson, Georgia, and Alabama. He appears just to be scratching the surface of his potential, so he remains a viable option for Josh Heupel's staff to recruit.

Chad Mascoe

Mascoe, a UCF legacy prospect, was one of three quarterbacks Heupel's staff had offered at UCF in the 2022 class. He has received early interest from SEC programs, including Auburn and South Carolina, while holding a verbal offer from Tennessee's previous staff. He is another quarterback that makes sense to monitor once Josh Heupel gets his entire staff in place and running the trail.

Other names of note include Bryce Archie out of McEachern (Ga.), who holds a UCF offer from Heupel's staff, Tevin Carter, an in-state prospect with high upside, MJ Morris, and Jacurri Brown.