Linebacker Dillon Bates committed to Tennessee on July 3rd in a nationally televised broadcast from “The Opening,” an elite football camp hosted by Nike.

“I’ve always grown up a Tennessee fan with my dad playing there when he was in college,” Dillon Bates said in a report on TNSportsRadio.com. “That’s an opportunity that nobody can pass up lightly. It’s just a great opportunity for me to follow in my dad’s footsteps and go where he’s been.”

Dillon’s father, Bill, made a name for himself as a hard-hitting Vol safety in the 80s before going on to win multiple championships with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Vols have to replace graduating outside linebackers Dontavis Sapp (who had a very solid, under the radar season) and Brent Brewer. Even with the return of A.J. Johnson and Curt Maggitt, the Vols bring back just five scholarship linebackers.

Bates adds speed close the the line of scrimmage, something the Vols desperately need, and should compete for playing time early in the season.

The Basics: Rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals, Scout, ESPN, and 247Sports, Bates is a 6-3, 220 pound outside linebacker from Ponte Vedra, Florida (Ponte Vedra HS). Rivals ranks him as the No. 2 outside linebacker and No. 41 overall prospect in the 2014 class. He chose the Vols over Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and a host of other programs.

Scouting Report: Bates plays with instincts worthy of his bloodlines. He is disciplined against both the run and the pass (recall Jones talking about “eye discipline” repeatedly this year) and rarely gets caught out of position. He has fantastic speed (4.51 40-yard dash) and can be an every-down LB in college. Bates plays well in traffic and and is adept at shedding blockers.

“Bates is a very good outside linebacker. Has size at 6-3 and speed with a 40 in the 4.5s. He uses good leverage when taking on blocks. Gets off blocks well. Solid tackler, uses inside-outside leverage. Has speed to chase plays down from the backside coming off the edge. Always around ball, plays under control. Great field awareness and play recognition. Can play versus run and pass. Does a good job in coverage of reading quarterback and routes.” – Scout.com

“Tall with a well-built frame, good playing strength and pursuit speed. Has the length to still fill out and add size. His proper angles, length and leverage to the football assist his range, which is good. Can open his hips and run with effort, but we feel he has better short-range speed and skill-set than long…Not an explosive downhill tackler but wrap-up type and is reliable. Plays with overall toughness taking on blocks and tackling…Has some limitations out in space and as a third-down coverage defender but Bates is a prospect with a high probability of success when you look at his measurables, fundamentals and intangibles. Should also add a lot of value on special teams.” – ESPN.com

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