Vols set to host key 2020 and 2021 visitors this weekend
This weekend kicks off the first of 3 weekends that unsigned 2020 prospects can take official visits to schools leading up to national signing day on February 5th. For Tennessee, they only have a few spots left and are going to be very selective with the prospects they decide to use their scholarships on. One very familiar name will be on campus for his official visit, along with a highly ranked prospect in 2 sports and an offensive lineman that is a very late riser in the 2020 rankings and picking up SEC offers quickly. There’s also a ton of 2021 prospects that will be making the trip up this weekend as the staff looks to get a head start on the next cycle. Let’s get to the list
DAMARCUS BECKWITH
Beckwith will be taking his official visit here this weekend after some re-shuffling with his schedule. Originally, he was supposed to visit Kentucky but now plans not to do so. And will take his visit here instead of 2 weeks from now due to a basketball tournament the weekend before signing. He’ll follow this visit up with one to Florida, who is Tennessee’s main competition for Beckwith at the moment. Both schools have offered him to play both football and basketball, and both schools are looking at him as a Tight end. One thing Tennessee has big in their favor at the moment is his cousin Cameryn has already accepted a PWO offer from Tennessee and will enroll in the summer. He’s also the cousin of Lamonte Turner which could likely play a factor right now. Tennessee will still have to fight off Florida but it looks good for them right now.
MALACHI WIDEMAN
Wideman is probably the best athlete left on the board for Tennessee. At 6’4 180, Wideman is a 4-Star in both football as a wide receiver and a shooting guard in basketball. The Sarasota, Florida native is currently committed to Florida State, but he committed back in may before the change in coaching staff so he did not sign in December when Mike Norvell was hired. He will be taking an official visit here along with Oregon and Florida Atlantic, and has already taken visits to Washington State and FSU. Strange list for a 4-Star wide receiver but he is also looking at opportunities in basketball as well as football. Not sure where he is prioritized on coach Barnes board as he’s not received and offer yet but he’s among the top targets left for football, and if he gets the opportunity to play both sports at Tennessee, that could make things really interesting as far as a potential flip is concerned.
DYLAN SPENCER
Every year, we’ll see a ton of kids that we’re not recruited hard by major schools during the fall start to blow up and receive offers in the weeks leading up to signing day, and that’s exactly what’s happening with Madison Central's Dylan Spencer. The 6’4 300lb 2-Star offensive tackle from Madison, Mississippi is currently committed to Southern Miss but has since received offers from Mississippi State and Missouri, and Tennessee has not yet offered but will be hosting him on an official visit. Something important to note is that he was high school teammates with Tennessee QB signee Jimmy Holiday, and this is only his first year playing on the offensive line. When the rankings update, I’d fully expect him to get a 3rd star and a nice bump due to the SEC offers. And if Tennessee adds their name to the offer list, it could potentially put themselves in position to get a commitment from the prospect on February 5th.
Other notable names (2021)
5-Star OLB Dylan Brooks
4-Star QB Christian Veillux
4-Star WR Walker Merrill
4-Star DT Isaac Washington
3-Star WR JJ Jones
3-Star DT Zion Rucker
3-Star OLB Raneiria Dillworth
3-Star WR Chauncey Magwood
3-Star WR Ahmari Huggins-Bruce
3-Star ATH Malachi Bennett
3-Star OT Micah Pettus
3-Star OG Jaelon Brown
3-Star DT Tyrion Ingrams-Dawkins
3-Star CB Kani Walker
3-Star defensive end Noah Collins (Grayson, GA)
UR ILB Bryce Edmonston
UR S Jaydon Hodge (2022)
UR K Will Bettridge (2022)
*Visit list subject to change. Also, some of these players may not have offers from Tennessee yet.