Here you’ll find basic info on each Vol football target, our analysis of what role each prospect will play in college, and our take on where they stand in their recruitment. We’ll continually update this page as the recruiting process progresses. This year, Tennessee has an unusually talented group of in-state prospects, plus a dozen or so “legacy” recruits who had relatives play at Tennessee. Butch Jones has offered nearly 120 prospects thus far, so we’ll start mainly with in-state and legacy players, then work around the country.

Darrel Williams

The Basics: Rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals, 247Sports, and Scout, and a 3-star recruit by ESPN, Williams is a 6-1, 225 pound running back/athlete from Marrero, Louisiana (John Ehret HS). He rushed for 2,201 yards on 213 carries last season (10.33 ypc) with an astonishing 32 rushing TDs. He also recorded 365 yards and 3 TDs catching the football. Williams boasts offers from LSU, Tennessee, Arizona State, Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M, Missouri, and Nebraska, among others.

Scouting Report: A versatile back with excellent lateral quickness for his size, Williams has soft hands and is an adept receiver out of the backfield. Though not blazingly fast, he has above average speed (he reportedly runs a 4.5 40-yard dash) and an impressive 38-inch vertical leap. As a junior, he spent some time at quarterback

“Impressive size-to-speed combo. Thick, compact build with desired body composition for a college load carrier. Strong upper and lower body and a sturdy frame that can withstand punishment. Not a big threat in the second level but has deceptive outside speed. For teams looking for a downhill power-back with some shake, Williams may be the guy. He lacks game-breaker speed and elusiveness, but has workhorse type of attributes and the downhill strength and decisive running style that should translate well in the right downhill offense. Could get recruited to play linebacker with continued physical development.” -ESPN

Highlights: 

You can view more highlights here.

RaShaan Gaulden

4-star 247Sports Composite
6-1, 175 pounds, Safety
Nashville, Tennessee (Independence)

Rated as the No. 9 player in Tennessee by 247Sports, Gaulden left junior day (Feb. 16th) proclaiming the Vols as the team rapidly ascending his list. The talented safety, who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, led his team in tackles with 68, accounted for 2 sacks, and 4 interceptions last year. He also lettered in wrestling and track. Gaulden has offers from Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Nebraska, and others. His teammate and close friend Vic Wharton is a Vol commitment, and though the Commodores are the leaders to sign him, Tennessee is closing fast. COMMITTED

Dewayne Hendrix

4-star Rivals and 247Sports
6-5, 250 pounds, Defensive End
O’Fallon, IL (O’Fallon)

Rated in the Rivals and 247Sports top 250, Hendrix picked up an offer from Tennessee during his junior day visit. He tallied 60 tackles (12 for a loss) and 4 sacks in 2012. The Vols could lose as many as six defensive lineman and will be tasked with replacing those losses in the 2014 class. Hendrix would be a great pickup, and could grow into playing multiple positions on the defensive front. He has notable offers from Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Michigan State, and Syracuse. COMMITTED 

Jalen Hurd

5-star 247, 4-star Rivals
6-2, 210 pounds, Running Back
Hendersonville, TN (Beech HS)

Hurd is the No. 2 running back in the nation per 247 Sports, the top player in the state, and a member of the Rivals and 247 Top 100. He rushed for a state single-season record 3,357 yards on 317 carries last year, and scored 46 touchdowns. The Vols desperately need to sign at least one elite back in this class, and keeping Hurd in-state would be huge. Tennessee will have to beat out Florida, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, and a host of other schools for his services, but the Vols should be in the hunt with Butch Jones at the helm. Update: Hurd committed to Tennessee March 14th. Visit our Vol Commitments page for more info on him.

Todd Kelly Jr.

4-star 247 Sports and Rivals
6-1, 190 pounds, Defensive Back
Knoxville, TN (Webb HS)

A member of the Rivals and 247 Sports Top 100, Kelly Jr. is rated as the No. 2 player in the state and the No. 7 safety in the nation per 247 Sports. The son of former UT defensive end/linebacker Todd Kelly Sr., he tallied 72 tackles, three interceptions, and broke up seven passes last year for Webb. Kelly also led the team in rushing with 99 carries for 1,120 yards (11.3 yards per carry), scored 23 touchdowns on the ground, and five through the air. Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Florida are the leaders to sign Kelly at this point, but he’s one legacy we feel fairly confident will end up at UT. UPDATE: He committed to the Vols on March 10th and we’ve added him to our Vol commits page.

Josh Malone

4-star 247 and Rivals
6-3, 190 pounds, Receiver
Gallatin, TN (Station Camp)

Another in-state member of the Rivals and 247 Top 100, Malone is rated as the No. 3 player in the state and the No. 11 receiver in the nation by 247. He has been timed running a 4.43 40-yard dash, and should be a playmaker at the next level. Malone caught 28 passes last season for 408 yards, grabbed five touchdowns, and carried the ball 15 times for 101 yards and one touchdown. Tennessee was the first school to offer Malone a scholarship and more than 20 other schools have since followed suit. Tennessee, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Vanderbilt currently compose his top five. COMMITTED 

Evan Berry

4-star 247 Composite
5-11, 195 pounds, Defensive Back
Fairburn, Georgia (Creekside)

He has yet to be rated by most of the major services, but will end up as one of the top prospects in the 2014 class. Berry has played all over the field in high school, and though he racked up some serious numbers at quarterback, will play either safety or cornerback in college. Though he famously committed to Tennessee when he was in middle school, he’s not a lock to end up in Vol orange. He has notable offers from Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, Clemson, and South Carolina. Several of his high school teammates are likely to end up at Auburn, so they may be Tennessee’s biggest challengers at this point. For highlights, click here. COMMITTED

Elliot Berry

Unrated
6-0, 200 pounds, Safety
Fairburn, Georgia (Creekside)

Like his brother, he has not been evaluated by most major services but will end up as one of the top prospects in this class. He has played safety, linebacker, and running back in his high school career, and is being recruited as a safety by most programs. Of note: Scout lists Elliot as running a 4.46 40-yard dash. The Berry twins have played on the same team their whole lives, and have stated publicly they plan to do so in college. Elliot has notable offers from Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, Clemson, Florida, and Georgia. For highlights, click here. COMMITTED

Treyvon Paulk

3-star 247Sports Composite
5-9, 195 pounds, Running Back
Alpharetta, GA (Milton)

A former teammate of 2013 Vol signee Ryan Jenkins, Paulk visited Tennessee last weekend and left proclaiming the Vols as the early favorites to sign him. He plans to make it back to campus for spring is over, and may attend the Orange and White Game. Paulk rushed for over 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns last year, and will likely see his stock rise as 2014 recruiting becomes the focus of most analysts. The Vols will look to sign at least two running backs next year, and would like to sign three. Paulk has notable offers from Tennessee, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, TCU, and North Carolina, but is one to keep an eye on for a commitment. Here’s one of his TD runs. Update: Paulk committed to Tennessee March 15th.

Bo Scarbrough

5-star 247Sports, 4-star Rivals
6-2, 220 pounds, Athlete
Tuscaloosa, AL (Northridge)

Scarbrough is rated as the No. 17 player in the nation by 247Sports. He mainly plays running back, but lines up at receiver on occasion. In 2011, he rushed for 938 yards, scored 13 touchdowns on the ground, tallied 280 yards receiving, and caught four touchdown passes. He could play either running back or receiver in college. Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, Clemson, and a host of other programs have offered the talented athlete, and he is currently committed to Alabama. If any team has a shot at prying him away from the Tide, it’s the Vols, and his attendance at junior day this weekend is a positive sign for Tennessee. He’s a prospect to watch closely this year as the recruiting process progresses.

Blaise Taylor

Unrated
5-10, 160 pounds, Athlete
Auburn, AL (Auburn)

While Taylor has not been ranked by the major services, he will garner a 3 to 4-star rating when the rankings are updated. The son of former Vol and Auburn assistant Trooper Taylor, Blaise plays both wide receiver and defensive back. He scored five touchdowns on just 12 receptions last season, with those receptions going for 303 yards. Taylor also carried the ball eight times for 81 yards and a score, and totaled 658 combined yards on 32 punt/kick returns. On defense, Taylor recorded 22 tackles , one interception, four passes defended, and one defensive touchdown. He has offers from Auburn, Tennessee, Nebraska, Memphis, and Arkansas State. Taylor attended junior day at Tennessee Feb. 16th, and the Tigers and Vols are the leaders to sign him.

Dillon Bates

4-star Rivals and 247Sports
6-3, 220 pounds, Linebacker
Ponte Vedra, FL (Ponte Vedra)

The son of former Vol and Dallas Cowboy safety Bill Bates, Dillon is one of the most sought-after prospects in the country. He’s rated as the No. 58 player in the nation by Rivals, and has offers from over two dozen schools. He recorded 63 tackles (eight for a loss), three interceptions, and two forced fumbles last year. Bates has been timed running a 4.6 40-yard dash, and has the versatility to play multiple linebacker positions. He attended junior day at Tennessee (Feb. 16th) and left with the Vols in his top five. The talented linebacker plans on visiting campus again once the Vols start spring practice. Ohio State, Florida, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M are all serious contenders to sign him. COMMITTED