An early look at Tennessee's 2022 in-state targets
Jeremy Pruitt has made it evident that he will go anywhere in the country and recruit against any program in the country, however, in the 2020 recruiting cycle, Tennessee brought in 10 players from the Volunteer state. The 2021 class is littered with targets from in-state as well, but the Vols have some intriguing in-state options in 2022 to prioritize for the future of the program. We take a look at those in-state prospects here.
Quarterback Ty Simpson
Simpson is an elite prospect on a national level, but the Vols have already started to make their mark early in this recruitment. They hosted him right before the dead period, and he raved about the time he spent with Tennessee's coaches. Jim Chaney made a strong impression on him, and Simpson admits the Vols will remain in this until the end. He holds 25+ offers including Alabama, LSU, Michigan, and so on. Simpson is rated as the 91st overall prospect, and the 3rd ranked dual-threat QB for the class, according to 247 Sports.
Quarterback Tevin Carter
At 6'3, 205lbs, Carter has become one of the more dynamic playmakers in the state of Tennessee. The Kirby HS prospect holds double-digit offers including Auburn and LSU. Carter has been to Tennessee on more than one occasion, and he is ready to get back to Knoxville once the dead period ends. Texas A&M is viewed as a major player in his recruitment, and he has a strong connection with 2020 OL signee Chris Morris. Carter is one to watch in the coming months.
Quarterback Kaden Martin
The Knoxville Catholic Star QB took over about the mid-point for the Irish, and he had great success in his Sophomore season. He is smooth, and when you watch his game, he carries himself just like his father, Tee Martin. The younger Martin is a two-sport star, and he has the opportunity to play baseball and football at the college level. It is safe to say Tennessee is going to be in this recruitment for the distance.
Outside Linebacker Elijah Herring
Herring measures in at 6'2, 215, and possesses the frame to add the necessary weight to become a dynamic edge rusher. Herring plays his high school ball at Riverdale in Murfreesboro, and he already holds six offers, including Tennessee, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. Herring is not currently rated by any rating service.
RB Jordan James
James is an in-state prospect Tennessee will likely prioritize. He has already spent a lot of time around the Tennessee coaching staff, and he will continue to consider the Vols in his recruitment. James holds double-digit offers including the likes of Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee. James is currently rated as the 109th overall prospect in the nation. Expect Tee Martin to lead the charge here.
The Wade Twins
Destin and Keaten Wade are standouts at Summit High School, and they are both being recruited as national prospects. Destin is being recruited as a quarterback, while Keaten is being recruited as an outside linebacker. Both prospects hold multiple SEC offers, but can one team land the duo? Tennessee certainly has advantages in this recruitment, especially the proximity to home.
Wide Receiver Isaiah Horton
Horton is a playmaker on the outside for Ensworth, and he was one of the more well-rounded 2022 prospects I covered this season. He has a couple of years to continue to improve his route tree and ability down the field, which will help to improve his recruiting stock. He already holds double-digit offers, including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee. Tennessee has recruited Ensworth heavily under Jeremy Pruitt, a trend that will continue with Horton in the 2022 class.
Offensive Lineman Fisher Anderson
Anderson has an early offer ist that is impressive with the likes of Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee all on there. Anderson is rated as a dour-star by 247 Sports, and everybody is watching to see how his frame fills out. Anderson is a guy who Tennessee will evaluate over the next two years, and could end up being a major priority in an in-state class which has a lot of potential.
Offensive Lineman Aliou Bah
Tennessee's head coach Jeremy Pruitt visited Whitehaven last season to watch a trio of defensive stars in the 2020 class, but when he left, he let the Whitehaven staff know that this 6'4, 320lbs offensive lineman had an offer. Currently, Tennessee is the only offer Bah holds, but as he finds his fit on the offensive line, he will see his recruitment grow.
WR Taylor Groves
Groves is a lanky receiver who is fluid and efficient down the. He possesses nice body control and consistent hands to go along with a solid route tree, which is why he has a handful of SEC offers. Groves is rated as a four-star by 247 Sports, and as most playmakers in the state, he will have several schools battling over his services.
ATH Tommy Winton
Winton is a versatile athlete from Knoxville Catholic, and he can do it all. He will likely be a slot receiver at the college level, and he is a tough cover for linebackers and safeties alike because of his shiftiness and ability to create separation. Winton has ACC and SEC schools coming in and out of his recruitment, but the Vols have stayed as a constant. He likes the pitch, and Tennessee has a chance to lock him down early with Tee Martin leading the charge.
ATH Dallan Hayden
Hayden is another Tennessee legacy, and he comes from a family of running backs, but he could break the mold. Derrick Ansley and Jeremy Pruitt like Hayden as a DB, and he is open to the idea. The son of Aaron Hayden plays at Christian Brothers in Memphis and is a prospect Tennessee has keyed in on early in this class.