Dillon Bates to Tennessee: Volunteers Land 4-Star OLB Prospect

Coveted high school defensive prospect Dillon Bates has committed to Tennessee after announcing the news via Twitter:

A 4-star linebacker out Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Bates had been drawing interest from several SEC schools, including Alabama, Florida and South Carolina, according to 247Sports.com.

Bates is among the top 10 outside linebacker prospects in the class of 2014 and one of the top players coming out of the state of Florida next year.

At 6'3", 220 pounds, Bates already possesses the ideal frame and should have no problem packing on muscle once he gets inside a college weight room. Strength is already one of his strong suits but should improve as he continues to develop. 

In addition to boasting all of the physical traits college scouts and coaches love, Bates has the recognition skills and instincts to play the position at a high level for years to come.

And while he isn't going to wow you with bruising tackles, he can be relied on to wrap up and bring the ball-carrier down more often than not. 

As a rusher, Bates can be disruptive thanks to his intensity as well as his instincts.

If the Bates' surname sounds familiar, that's because his father, Bill, was a former college football star at Tennessee before signing with the Dallas Cowboys in the early 1980s. Bill was a Pro Bowler in 1984 and won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys in the 1990s.

Only time will tell if Dillon follows in dad's footsteps.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.