Tennessee Football: 5 Most Important Recruits for the Volunteers' 2016 Season

After two jam-packed recruiting classes the past two seasons, the Tennessee Volunteers likely won't take the full allotment of 25 players in this year's haul.

But that doesn't mean the 2016 class of players is any less important.

Butch Jones' third full class won't be as highly touted as his first two, but UT desperately needs it to have its fair share of instant-impact players. When you've had to rebuild a program essentially from scratch, many areas are still devoid of depth, even this far into a coaching tenure.

This year's injury-riddled Vols team is proof of that. 

So far, Tennessee's 2016 class is ranked in the top 20 nationally at 17th, according to 247Sports, but that's good for just seventh in a loaded SEC where recruiting is competitive year-round. The Vols have 17 committed players, and, as always, that's fluid.

Though the Vols don't have many guys on the board they're clear-cut leaders for at the moment, a lot can change between now and national signing day. If UT finishes the year 8-4 and then wins its bowl, Jones could find himself with the power of proof on the recruiting trail.

But with several areas of need in Knoxville, who are some of the players in this year's class who could provide big-time help for the Vols right away? Let's take a look at a handful of current commits and a couple of guys who are high on the Tennessee board who would be major additions to the 2016 team.

Alexis Johnson, Defensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

There are few areas on the field where Tennessee needs bodies more than at defensive tackle.

Essentially, this year's Vols are down to four players in the current rotation with two games remaining in the 2015 season—Danny O'Brien, Owen Williams, Kendal Vickers and Kahlil McKenzie.

With Williams out of eligibility after this year and O'Brien (who will be a senior next year) having been suspended for a portion of this season, the depth at the position is tenuous at best.

Tennessee welcomes Shy Tuttle back from injury next year, and he'll be a major star. Quay Picou will also provide more meaningful reps, too.

But perhaps the most underrated player in UT's 2016 recruiting class so far is 3-star JUCO defensive tackle Alexis Johnson.

The 6'4", 298-pound mauler slid a bit under the radar through the first few months of recruiting, but that's no longer the case. He committed to the Vols back on June 16, and since then, he's seen increased interest from major suitors.

Alabama is the latest team to throw its hat in the ring, and with the Crimson Tide's history of producing NFL defensive linemen, they could become a player if they push. The Fort Scott Community College defensive tackle from Jonesboro, Georgia, also visited Baylor and North Carolina State recently.

However, Johnson told Volquest's Paul Fortenberry this week that the only official visit he plans to take is to Tennessee.

Anytime you can add the nation's top-ranked JUCO tackle, it's vital to a program. It just so happens to be more of one for the Vols because it's a position of need. Johnson almost assuredly would play right away.

UT already has a commitment from D'Andre Christmas-Giles and is pushing for more JUCO help and for prep star Derrick Brown, but Johnson is already committed, so Jones is banking on him being in the mix.

The Vols need to close the deal for him down the stretch.

Marquill Osborne, Cornerback

Credit: 247Sports

Another player the Vols are going to have to battle to keep is one of their earliest commitments.

Marquill Osborne committed to Tennessee way back in September 2014 and has stayed true to his word ever since, but he's certainly listening as some of the nation's top programs have become interested.

The 5'10", 175-pound cornerback from Cornelius, North Carolina, recently visited Ohio State officially and also has serious interest from No. 1-ranked Clemson, Florida and other powerhouses. Virginia Tech is also a team that has his attention.

After visiting Columbus to watch the Buckeyes, however, he told 247Sports' Ryan Bartow that he was still "solid" to the Vols.

That's good news for the Vols, who desperately need the 4-star cornerback who is the nation's 17th-best at his position, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He has electric speed and nice size and is a big-time playmaker who is more polished than many of his peers at his position.

The Vols have struggled all season on the back end of their defense and are ranked 12th in the SEC in pass defense.

Players who were expected to be solid such as Emmanuel Moseley and Malik Foreman have been up-and-down, and with the interest Cameron Sutton is getting from the NFL, the junior could forgo his final season in orange.

Though Moseley and Foreman return, along with injured nickelback Rashaan Gaulden, talented sophomore Justin Martin and the freshman duo of Micah Abernathy and Darrell Miller, Osborne has the talent and athleticism to step in and provide key reps.

UT needs depth and talent at corner, and that's why Osborne is essential in this class.

Ryan Johnson, Offensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

These past couple of years, the Vols were forced to play some offensive linemen out of position as the team restocked the pantry at the position.

One of those players who have thrived—converted guard-turned-left tackle Kyler Kerbyson—will graduate after this season, leaving a major void on Joshua Dobbs' blind side.

Though former blue-chip prospect Drew Richmond is expected to slide into that spot and start as a redshirt freshman next year, along with sophomore right tackle Chance Hall, you always need capable players to fill in on the line.

Just this year against Georgia, Tennessee found itself dipping far into its bench and finding true freshmen Hall and guard Jack Jones to insert in what became a huge win for the Vols and a frying-pan game for the youngsters.

When you look at Tennessee's current roster, there aren't many tackle options in the future. Richmond, Hall and Brett Kendrick are pretty much it. Maybe another freshman such as Venzell Boulware or Charles Mosley could fill in out there, but that's a stretch.

Enter Ryan Johnson.

The 6'7", 285-pound 4-star longtime Vols commitment from Brentwood Academy outside of Nashville is exactly what the team has been looking for to play on the exterior of the line in a zone-blocking scheme. He's big, athletic and mean. And it wouldn't be a stretch to say he'll play as a freshman.

The future could be bright with all the young linemen the Vols are stockpiling, but tackle is an important position where more bodies are needed. Johnson has the ability to provide an instant impact.

Nigel Warrior, Safety

Credit: 247Sports

The first uncommitted player in this group has been at the top of Tennessee's wish list for months, but he may have his sights set on a Vols rival.

Though Nigel Warrior is the son of UT legend Dale Carter, he's anything but a lock for the Vols. As a matter of fact, 35 percent of the current 247Sports Crystal Ball projections have him going to Alabama. That's just 3 percentage points behind UT, and the Crimson Tide have most of the recent picks.

The 5'11", 188-pound safety from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia, is a U.S. Army All-American who is a hard-hitting, instinctual safety who has the skill set to play anywhere he goes right away. There's a reason why teams such as Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio State and others are all over him.

Warrior has been to Knoxville and Athens many times to see the Vols and Bulldogs. So, UT fans shouldn't worry too much about where he spends his official visits. Warrior recently told 247Sports' Bill Kurelic when discussing his Nov. 21 official visit to Columbus to watch Ohio State-Michigan State: "I want to go on an official to LSU. And I want to take one to Alabama. For the last two I'm thinking about Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Miami."

But there should be concern, nonetheless. Coach Butch Jones has locked up every legacy that he's wanted in his three seasons coaching for the Vols, but Warrior is going to be a major challenge.

Right now, it may not even be a stretch to say the Crimson Tide have the advantage. 

With Brian Randolph and LaDarrell McNeil exhausting their eligibility after this season, the Vols need some immediate help at safety. While Todd Kelly Jr., Evan Berry and Stephen Griffin are all competent players, an impact star such as Warrior would be a massive addition.

Even worse than losing him would be seeing him go to Tuscaloosa and shine. 

The Vols' two biggest recent recruiting losses saw in-state star Jalen Ramsey go to Florida State, where he's become an All-American, and lifelong UT fan Vonn Bell choose Ohio State, where he started for a national champion.

Both of those players were safeties. UT doesn't want to let another playmaker get away at the position.

Mecole Hardman, Wide Receiver

Credit: 247Sports

As much as Tennessee's wide receivers struggled the past two seasons, getting an instant-impact game-changer at the position would be crucial to the team's offensive success.

The perfect player to fill that role is Elberton, Georgia, athlete Mecole Hardman.

The 5'10", 175-pound U.S. Army All-American could pretty much choose his school from all the top programs in the nation, but it's likely he winds up selecting one of the two teams that have been on him from the start: Tennessee and Georgia.

Throughout his recruitment, those two SEC East rivals have flip-flopped in the lead for his signature. Others such as Alabama and Auburn could sneak in and steal him in the 11th hour too, but the Vols and Bulldogs appear to be major contenders.

While coach Mark Richt wants him as a cornerback, Tennessee would love to have his skill set at wide receiver. With the way coach Butch Jones likes to utilize his players in space, Hardman would be an ideal fit to make a lot of things happen with the ball in his hands.

Considering UT doesn't have many quick-twitch, cut-and-go players on offense, Hardman would almost certainly get plenty of touches right away. Think of having a player such as running back Alvin Kamara on the perimeter, and you have the upside of Hardman.

It could work in Tennessee's favor that there's uncertainty in the Georgia coaching staff, though Hardman himself hasn't said so. 

Regardless of whether or not the Vols win Hardman's services in the end, it appears they'd love to add some speed by taking at least one more receiver in this class. USC commit Velus Jones is another possibility, and UT is in on several potential targets at receiver.

But Hardman has been one of the Vols' top targets for more than a year now and remains so. UT would love to get him in orange.

All stats gathered from UTSports.com unless otherwise noted. All recruiting information gathered from the 247Sports, unless otherwise noted.

Brad Shepard covers SEC football and is the Tennessee lead writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.