Here you’ll find basic info on each Vol football signee plus our projection of what role each prospect will play for Tennessee this year. We’ll continually update this page if the 2013 Vol football recruiting class grows. Signees are in orange while preferred walk-ons in black. Note: * symbol denotes early enrollees. Profiles on late additions Johnson and Vickers will be posted once their academic eligibility is confirmed.
Signees
Malik Brown: The 6-3, 250 pound defensive end from Florida is considered a 3-star prospect. He is quick for his size, and excels at rushing the quarterback off the edge. The Vols offered him last week, and UT’s staff met with him Sunday. Though he was committed to Syracuse he ultimately chose the Vols. Tennessee recruited him to play a hybrid linebacker/defensive end position, something Brown said suits his skill set perfectly. He is a nice addition to this class, has a ton of upside, and is the type of versatile player every defense needs.
Joshua Dobbs: A 6-3, 190 pound quarterback from Georgia, Dobbs is rated as a 4-star prospect. While he’s considered to be a pro-style quarterback, he can make things happen with his legs and would be a good fit in Butch Jones’ uptempo spread attack. Dobbs has excellent pocket awareness for a high school quarterback, good field vision, an efficient delivery, and is accurate with the football. He is a two sport athlete who plays shortstop on his school’s baseball team. He has been committed to Arizona State since June, but officially signed with the Vols Tuesday morning. Look for him to play early for Tennessee.
Jaylen Miller: The 6-3, 260 pound defensive lineman from South Carolina is rated as a 4-star recruit by ESPN. He’s a disruptive player who relentlessly pursues the ball and appears physically ready for the rigors of college football. A versatile athlete, Miller has the tools, strength, and build to play either defensive end or tackle in college. He signed with the Vols this morning.
Jabo Lee: A 5-9, 180 pound running back from South Carolina, Lee committed to the Vols Monday night. He was previously committed to Eastern Carolina University and had an offer from Virginia Tech. He developed a relationship with Jay Graham when Graham coached running backs for South Carolina. Lee has good hands, 4.45 40 speed, and is a powerful and balanced runner who is hard to bring down. He rushed for over 3,000 yards and 46 touchdowns during his sophomore and junior campaigns, but missed most of his senior year with a knee injury. If not for his injury, he would probably garner a 4-star rating from most services. Lee can develop into a very good collegiate back, especially if he puts on about 15-20 pounds. He’s a nice pickup for the Vols and is definitely an underrated talent.
Charlie High: The 6-0, 175 pound quarterback from Knoxville is rated as a 3-star prospect by 247 Sports. He accepted a preferred walk-on offer from the Vols last week, and is an excellent pickup for Tennessee. High owns two national records, 11 state records, three championship game records, and won two titles at CAK. He has an above average arm, good mobility, and reads defenses well. Tennessee is getting a good quarterback without giving up a scholarship and High is getting a chance to prove he belongs in the SEC. Don’t underestimate him moving forward, he has the tools needed to be successful at Tennessee.
Andrew Gantz: Rated as a 3-star prospect and No. 8 kicker in the nation by 247 Sports, Gantz accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Butch Jones Thursday. A 5-9, 170 pound prospect from Dayton, Ohio, Gantz built a strong relationship with Jones during his tenure at Cincinnati. He has a strong leg (he can hit 55+ yard attempts with regularity), quick kicking motion, a good depth to his kickoffs. With Tennessee’s kicking woes, he’ll have a shot at early playing time.
Marquez North: The 6-4, 215 pound receiver from Charlotte, North Carolina, is rated as a 4-star prospect by every major recruiting service in the nation. With good size, speed (he reportedly runs a 4.4 40 yard dash), and elusiveness, there’s a reason North is one of the most prized prospects in the nation. He is a speedy deep threat who can stretch the field, yet also has the ability to make people miss when given the ball in space. North has the skills and build of a true No. 1 receiver and the added versatility needed to line up in the slot or even the backfield on occasion (as Cordarrelle Patterson did for the Vols this year). He should be scoring touchdowns for the Vols this fall.
Malik Foreman: A 5-10, 170 pound athlete from Kingsport, TN., Foreman is blazing fast and has been timed running a 4.4 40-yard dash. He’ll likely play cornerback in college, but could see some time on offense as he has the ability to make opponents miss in the open field. Rated as a 3-star athlete by 247 Sports, Foreman will need to put on a few pounds to see consistent playing time this fall. A few months in a collegiate strength program will help and his speed alone should give him a shot to make an immediate impact. Foreman could see playing time this fall in a Vol secondary that desperately needs an influx of speed.
Cameron Sutton: The 6-0, 175 pound athlete from Georgia is rated as a 3-star prospect. Like Foreman, Sutton’s speed is his greatest asset; he runs a 4.45 40-yard dash. Though he played receiver and cornerback in high school, he was recruited by most teams as a defensive back. He has good hands and could develop into a playmaker in the secondary. Sutton will have a chance to contribute immediately in a secondary which needs his speed.
Ryan Jenkins: The 5-11, 180 pound receiver from Georgia is rated as a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports and ESPN. Jenkins has great hands, is a solid route-runner with above average speed, has as the ability to make defenders miss, and is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. He has the tools to challenge for a starting spot as a freshman. Expect Jenkins to see playing time in the slot position this fall. While not game film, the video below is well-done.
Josh Smith: The 6-1, 190 pound receiver from Knoxville (CAK), is rated as a 3-star prospect. He runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, has terrific hands, and is a mature route runner. While not as highly rated as some of Tennessee’s other receivers, Smith is an excellent player and could see action this fall. You can view highlights from his senior year here.
Brett Kendrick: A teammate of Josh Smith, the 6-5, 290 pound offensive tackle receives a consensus 3-star rating. Kendrick is a very good athlete that also plays basketball and has quick feet for a player of his stature. He is an excellent pass blocker and has the size and tools to play offensive tackle or guard in the SEC. Kendrick plays in an uptempo spread offense at CAK and should fit well in Butch Jones’ offensive philosophy. The Vols return starters at every position on the offensive line next year and he will have a year to acclimate to the college game without being expected to contribute.
Austin Sanders: The 6-6, 300 pound offensive tackle from Cleveland, TN., is rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals. Sanders has the size and strength necessary to play tackle or guard in college. A well-rounded lineman who excels at run blocking and is an above average pass blocker, he has the ability to play immediately for most programs. As with Kendrick, Sanders won’t be counted on to start as a freshman and may sit a year.
A.J. Branisel: The 6-5, 225 pound tight end from Ohio is considered to be a 3-star recruit. Branisel excels in the passing game and is a threat across the middle and near the goal line. He will need to improve his run blocking and add a few pounds to be an every down player, but his hands and speed make him an offensive asset the moment he steps on campus.He’s the type of player that Jones and Vol OC Mike Bajakian like to feature. Branisel has tremendous speed for his size, running a 4.5 40 yard dash, and rarely drops a pass. The Vols desperately need help at the tight end position and Branisel has the potential to see immediate playing time.
Dylan Wiesman: A 6-4, 300 pound guard from Ohio, Wiesman is rated as a 3-star prospect. He is a physical lineman who is an excellent pass blocker and above average run blocker. Though he currently lacks the foot speed necessary to play tackle, he could develop into a tackle after some time in a collegiate strength and conditioning program. Regardless, he can contribute at the guard position. Jones has the luxury of allowing Wiesman to sit behind the veteran Vol offensive line this season, which will only help prepare him for a successful career in orange.
Riley Ferguson: The 6-3, 190 pound 4-star quarterback from Matthews, North Carolina, has an incredibly strong arm and is known as a bit of a gun-slinger. His arm strength allows him to make all the throws and to thread the ball into tight windows downfield. Though Ferguson is a pocket passer, he is very athletic and has the ability to keep plays alive with his feet. He has a good understanding of the game but will need to be more disciplined with his decision making at the college level. Ferguson has all the tools to compete for the starting job. Don’t be surprised if he sees playing time as a freshman.
Jason Carr: The 6-6, 265 pound defensive lineman from Memphis, TN, is rated as a 4-star prospect and the No. 3 player in the state by 247 Sports. At his current size, he’s projected to play defensive end in the SEC, but could develop into a defensive tackle. Carr is a solid run-stopper, adept pass-rusher, and led his team with 16 sacks in 2011. He is a disruptive player and should see the field on a Tennessee defense which needs playmakers up front. The Vol staff plans to play him at end and utilize his speed off the edge.
Woody Quinn: The 6-6, 250 pound tight end from Santa Ana, California, is rated as a 3-star prospect. Quinn started his career playing volleyball at Pepperdine, but eventually decided to give football a shot. He finished his lone collegiate season at Santa Ana College second on the team in receiving. He has exceptional quickness for his size, good hands, and impressive leaping ability. Quinn has all the necessary skills to be a threat in the passing game and will almost certainly play right away.
Brett Dockery: The 6-5, 295 pound guard from Knoxville (Farragut High School) accepted a preferred walk-on offer from the Tennessee staff yesterday. Rated as a 3-star prospect by 247 Sports, Dockery will get a chance to prove he belongs in the SEC and is a steal for the Vols as a walk-on.
*Riyahd Jones: Rated as a 3-star prospect, Jones is a 6-0, 190 pound cornerback from Georgia. He runs a sub 4.5 40-yard dash, has good instincts, closes fast, and is comfortable playing zone or man coverage. With Tennessee’s problems in the secondary, Jones will immediately compete for playing time. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
*Corey Vereen: A 6-2, 230 pound linebacker from Florida, Vereen is rated as a 4-star prospect by ESPN. He played on the defensive line in high school, and recorded a school-record 16 sacks his junior year. Vereen is adept at shedding blockers, plays the run well, and is a sure tackler. He’ll look to improve his speed and mobility before fall, but should develop into a consistent contributor fairly quickly. Expect to see him on the field when the Vols open the season.
*Jalen Reeves–Maybin: The 6-1, 200 pound athlete from Clarksville, Tennessee, is considered a 4-star recruit. Reeves-Maybin played quarterback, safety, and linebacker in high school, and gained more than 2,000 yards rushing his senior year. He is likely to play outside linebacker for the Vols. As his numbers on the ground suggest, Reeves-Maybin is quick in space and can cover opposing runnings backs out of the backfield. He has all the tools necessary to grow into a star for the Vols.
*Paul Harris: Rated as a 4-star receiver by ESPN, the 6-4, 200 pound receiver from Maryland is expected to play right away for the Vols. Harris chose Tennessee over USC and Oregon, and has a versatile set of skills. He runs a 4.45 40-yard dash, has soft hands, catches the ball well in traffic, and can stretch the field or work across the middle. Harris will be an exciting player to watch throughout his career in orange and white.
*Lemond Johnson: A 6-1, 190 pound athlete from Florida, Johnson is rated as a 3-star prospect. He played quarterback, safety, and wide receiver in high school, and will likely play cornerback or safety for the Vols. Johnson runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, possesses excellent ball skills, and is a playmaker wherever he lines up on the field. As with the rest of Tennessee’s defensive commitments, he’ll compete for early playing time.