Jontae Gilbert Schedules Tennessee Visit
Head coach Josh Heupel understands there's a defensive deficiency at Tennessee, particularly in the secondary. The Vols had one of the worst SEC secondaries in 2022, with teams often staying in games merely because Tennessee was constantly giving up explosive plays. So, how did Heupel rebound?
Tennessee DB Commits
- Shamar Arnoux, 2025 CB
- Kaleb Beasley, 2024 CB
- Edrees Farooq, 2024 S
- Marcus Goree, 2024 S
All four of those players are four-star caliber and are expected to impact the program. Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez has played an integral role in establishing relationships and getting Tennessee in the door, but those around the program say Heupel has been placing a premium on defense. Nonetheless, their work isn't done, and they are after another big fish.
2025 five-star corner Jontae Gilbert committed to Ohio State last July, ending his recruitment after one season of high school football. The Georgia native plays for Douglass County High School, roughly three hours away from the University of Tennessee. He will be making that three-hour trip within the next few weeks to get another look at the Vols.
Matt Ray of VolQuest reported that Gilbert scheduled an unofficial visit with Tennessee for May 31. He visited the Vols back in March, underscoring he had a great time after the visit. Gilbert told Ray that the coaching staff has placed a premium on him, and he feels the love. "They love my tape, and they really said I could play all of the positions. They said I could play safety, nickel, and cornerback, so that was great to hear. That meant a lot. It made me feel like they want me and need me at the same time." Gilbert also noted that his favorite part of his March visit was spending time with Heupel, a promising sign as we draw closer to the September 1 contact date.
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