Tennessee Football Recruiting: Meet the Volunteers' 2015 Class

A fourth-ranked recruiting class puts the Tennessee Volunteers on the cusp of having one of the SEC's most talented rosters, but it's the way coach Butch Jones met major needs with star power that makes the 2015 class potentially special.

Jones signed 29 players in a lineman-heavy class that goes hand-in-hand with last year's class full of skill-position players.

Sprinkle in some offensive playmakers and a trio of quarterbacks, and there's plenty of reason for excitement as UT transitions from a team on the brink of bowl eligibility to one that is building to do big things in the future.

"For Tennessee to land in that top-five range, that's all you can really ask for to compete for national titles," 247Sports director of scouting Barton Simmons told GoVols247's Ryan Callahan. "I think that’s the reality of what can become the expectation at Tennessee."

With 13 prospects in the top 10 at their respective positions according to the 247Sports composite rankings, the Vols appear well on their way to making some noise in the SEC, perhaps even becoming a threat in the East as soon as this season.

Let's take a look at the Tennessee Vols 2015 recruiting class.

Player	Rating	Position	Position Rank
Kyle Phillips	4-star	SDE	4
Alvin Kamara	4-star	RB	2
Shy Tuttle	4-star	DT	9
Jack Jones	4-star	OT	9
Darrin Kirkland Jr.	4-star	ILB	5
Jauan Jennings	4-star	DUAL QB	6
Quinten Dormady	4-star	PRO QB	12
Andrew Butcher	4-star	SDE	17
Chance Hall	3-star	OT	75
Stephen Griffin	3-star	S	53
Kahlil McKenzie	5-star	DT	2
Preston Williams	4-star	WR	7
Drew Richmond	4-star	OT	3
Micah Abernathy	4-star	CB	24
Quart'e Sapp	4-star	OLB	14
Justin Martin	4-star	CB	2
Sheriron Jones	4-star	DUAL QB	7
Darrell Taylor	4-star	WDE	14
Venzell Boulware	3-star	OT	39
Quay Picou	3-star	DT	30
John Kelly	3-star	ATH (RB at UT)	39
Zach Stewart	3-star	OT (OG at UT)	64
Austin Smith	3-star	OLB	42
Kyle Oliver	3-star	TE	21
Darrell Miller	3-star	CB	71
Tommy Townsend	3-star	P	7
Riley Lovingood	2-star	LS	7
Vincent Perry	3-star	APB	14
Jocquez Bruce	3-star	ATH	108

Staying Strong In-State

Credit: 247Sports

The stars didn't quite align this year the way they did in 2014 when Jones signed eight of the state's top 10 players, but it was yet another banner year within the boundaries of the Volunteer State.

With the national signing day flip of offensive tackle Drew Richmond—the prospect who Jones said "completed the class" at his press conference, according to GoVols247's Ryan Callahan—the Vols signed the state's top three players.

UT finished with just four of the top 10, but the Vols only actively recruited five of them. Among the top three, every one met a major need.

Richmond has the massive upside to be the franchise left tackle UT has needed for a long time, and he debunked the myth that the Vols were struggling to recruit offensive linemen.

Kyle Phillips earned his fifth star on the 247Sports network with his showing at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl practices and game. He gave the Vols another massive commit on an absolutely loaded defensive line. You can never have too many edge-rushers.

Finally, Murfreesboro dual-threat quarterback Jauan Jennings, who was the first of Tennessee's quarterback trio to commit, provides the Vols with an athletic weapon who can play signal-caller. If he is beaten out at the position by Quinten Dormady or Sheriron Jones, he always has a bright future at several other spots.

It was an all-out battle to win the ultimate signature of Phillips and Richmond—wars that Jones must win to be successful at Tennessee.

He was up to the task of winning those this year, and they should pay major dividends for the Vols in the future.

Top Offensive Playmaker

Way back at a summer camp, 4-star JUCO running back Alvin Kamara decided to wrap up his recruitment the second time around, choosing the Vols over Georgia.

All these months later, the electrifying runner who played at Alabama for a year before transferring to Hutchinson Community College is enrolled and on his way to becoming a star.

UT recruiting coordinator Zach Azzanni told Volquest's Paul Fortenberry of Kamara on Thursday: "This is a home run back."

Indeed, the 5'11", 195-pound tailback has all the intangibles to be special.

Not only does he have second-level speed to run away from defenders, but he also is big enough to break tackles. He has elite shiftiness and change-of-direction ability, and he'll immediately step right in and contribute.

"Alabama didn't want to lose Kamara, and based on everything I've heard about his early workouts at Tennessee, I understand why," GoVols247's Wes Rucker told B/R. "He's an extremely talented kid and will provide an immediate spark to the Vols' offense, especially if he's matured as much as it looks like he has since his time in Tuscaloosa."

The Vols are thrilled with rising sophomore Jalen Hurd following his freshman year, and Kamara will take a lot of carries (and pressure) off Hurd's back.

With Tennessee's dearth of depth at the position, Kamara will get the opportunity to shine right away. The best thing about him is that he has three years remaining to play, as well.

He'll be a key piece of Tennessee's resurgence.

Top Defensive Playmaker

Credit: 247Sports

The biggest jewel—both literally and figuratively—of UT's star-laden class is 6'3", 354-pound defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie.

The nation's second-ranked player at the position is an alpha dog and the son of former Vol and current Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie. Kahlil routinely takes to Twitter to heckle players he punishes and even Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze.

He is big and athletic for his size and possesses power that few high school players do. UT coach John Jancek joked at one of Thursday's recruiting celebrations, according to Volquest's Paul Fortenberry:

"What do they have him at? 320 (pounds)? He's more like 360. He's going to be a load in there. I don't know who will block him. There were a couple of plays I thought charges were going to be brought on him."

The Vols needed a lot of bulk on the defensive interior, and McKenzie provides it. It's hard to envision a scenario where he doesn't come in and start or at least receive a lot of playing time.

McKenzie teaming with fellow commit Shy Tuttle has the potential to return UT to the days of John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth. They're that talented. McKenzie is going to be fun to watch develop and dominate over the next three years.

Players Likely Headed for Redshirts

Credit: 247Sports

Tennessee isn't quite in the position yet where it will be able to let the newcomers stand over on the sideline and watch.

Most of the players who officially signed on Wednesday will find themselves in at least reserve roles later this year.

But signing two massive classes full of talent in back-to-back seasons should allow for the Vols to let a few of this year's guys marinate during redshirt seasons.

Quinten Dormady appears on film to be the most advanced of the three signal-callers, so if everybody can stay healthy, the Vols would benefit from redshirting two quarterbacks. The guess here is those will be Sheriron Jones and Jauan Jennings, each of whom could use an opportunity to develop.

Along the offensive front, everybody will get a chance to crack a rotation that needs immediate help. Chance Hall is recovering from an Achilles injury, so he's a candidate to get stronger. With UT being deep on the interior, Venzell Boulware and Zach Stewart could redshirt, too.

On defense, Quay Picou is going to be a really good player at Tennessee in the future, but he may not factor into the rotation on the line this year.

Outside linebackers Quart'e Sapp and Austin Smith find themselves at a very deep position, but they're the future for the Vols on the second level. The same goes for cornerbacks Micah Abernathy and Darrell Miller, though at least one of those guys could break out.

Safety depth is a little thin, but if UT can find a fourth dependable player on the back end to go along with Brian Randolph, LaDarrell McNeil and Todd Kelly Jr., Stephen Griffin could stand a year to get better.

Finally, it remains unclear where offensive athletes Vincent Perry and Jocquez Bruce will fit in. Depending on where they're slotted, they may not play right away. But both have the skill sets to contribute on offense or special teams.

All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports composite rankings unless otherwise noted. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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