15 for '15: Early 2015 defensive targets for the Tennessee Vols
Per Callahan (247), this is our top 15 for 2015 on defense:
Shy Tuttle (DT) - UT is in his top group, will have to recruit him hard for a long time
Kahlil McKenzie (DT) - likely a Vol
Trent Thompson (DT) - likely UGA
Sterling Johnson (DE) - unknown
Kyle Phillips (DE) - likely a Vol (JMO)
Darian Roseboro (DE) - Vols have lead for a while, but this one depends on how long he waits to commit
Natrez Patrick (DE) - UGA is the early favorite, not holding out hope, but it's early
Rico McGraw (DB) - UGA commit, not holding out hope, but UT is apparently trying, and he's listening
Jauan Jennings (QB/ATH) - according to 247, he favors Vandy right now, but I don't know if that info is pre or post Franklin departure
Garrett Taylor (CB) - already visited UT three times, but highly values academics, and analysts at 247 think Stanford may lead with UT right behind
Mark Fields (DB) - USCe may be his favorite early, but he received one of this first offers from UT, and he's already visited. UT is in his top group
Ugo Amadi (DB) - likely a Vol
Rick DeBerry (LB) - Vols lead, but we'll have to recruit him hard until NSD 2015, IMO
Joshn Smith (LB) - UT is definitely trying, but I'm not going to hold out hope with his brother, only a year older, going to Vandy
Roquan Smith (LB) UGA leads, but UT is trying
Average
composite rating of the above mentioned recruits: 95, 4*.
If we take between 20-25 players in 2015, it's going to be a 20-25 really, really good players if the way we're recruiting continues.