21 defensive recruits to know for '21: DB Andre Turrentine

Tennessee grabbed a large portion of their 2020 class from in-state, and they will try to keep several more guys home during the 2021 cycle. One school they turned to during the 2020 cycle was Ensworth HS in Nashville, and the Vols will be back looking for another top target in Andre Turrentine this go around.

Turrentine lists as an ATH because of his ability to play slot wide receiver and defensive back. Turrentine has the ability to make an impact on either side of the ball at the college level but projects more as a defensive back.

Turrentine is currently rated as the 194th overall prospect in the nation, the number 15 cornerback, and the number 4 prospect from the state of Tennessee, according to 247 Sports Composite Rankings. Turrentine is the highest-rated defender in the state per this ranking.

As it currently sits, Turrentine holds 24 offers including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, and Tennessee. Turrentine's family is from Louisiana, so the Bayou Bengals hold a special place for him, but he has told VR2 on the record that he does not place any school above another.

In a September interview, Turrentine told VR2, "Tennessee is doing a really good job of making me feel at home when I am up there. It is not that far, and when I am up there I just feel like I am getting the best out of everything with Coach Pruitt and Coach Ansley having a history of defensive backs going to the NFL and being great. Guys like Minkah Fitzpatrick and many more that they coached. Those are guys that I look up to on the field for inspiration. Just knowing that they coached and helped those players get to where they say a lot about them and how good they are as coaches. That is weighing on me about if I want to be a part of what they have going on there right now. The 2020 class they have has a lot of the top players in-state right now.”

Analysis- I watched Turrentine on three occasions this season, once against Knoxville Catholic and twice against Mccallie. He is an interesting athlete that possesses the necessary tools to find his niche on either side of the ball in college. Offensively, he is very good in tight spaces and has the ability to turn defenders around. He does a solid job downfield of tracking and high pointing the ball. Will need to improve his route tree to play receiver at the next level. As a defender, he excels in coverage and provides adequate run support. Excels with closing speed and has a natural nose for the ball. Will need to add some more weight to his frame, but should come with time.

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