Braylen Russell Commits To Arkansas Over Tennessee, South Carolina

The Tennessee Volunteers continue their search for a second running back in the 2024 class. They zeroed in on four-star running back Braylen Russell (Benton, Ark.) after he decommitted from the in-state Arkansas Razorbacks in October and reopened his recruitment. The Vols and South Carolina were two programs that were quite active in this one, and as we sit here months later, the three finalists were, in fact, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

While Tennessee did a strong job on his official visit on June 23 and was gaining momentum, the in-state allure ultimately proved too much for the Vols. Running backs coach Jerry Mack returns to the drawing board after landing four-star running back Peyton Lewis (Salem, Va.) earlier this summer. Russell was their No. 1 priority at the position after Lewis, and they may have to wait a while to find a back they want to take in this class.

As for Russell, it seemed likely that he wound up at Arkansas. They got him on campus far more times than any other program, and with family so close by, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to play for the Razorbacks. Tennessee will still recruit him until his name is on a letter of intent, but this one feels pretty solid.

Tennessee's 2024 Recruiting Class

Jake Merklinger, QB
Peyton Lewis, RB
Braylon Staley, WR
Jonathan Echols, TE
Gage Ginther, OL
Jesse Perry, OG
Max Anderson, OG
Kellen Lindstrom, DL
Carson Gentle, DL
Jeremias Heard, DL
Jordan Burns, ILB
Kaleb Beasley, CB
Boo Carter, S
Edrees Farooq, S
Marcus Goree, DB

You Might Also Like:

Join the community:

Follow Evan Crowell on Twitter: @EvanVCrowell

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @VolunteerCountry & follow us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.