Tennessee Football: Ranking the Volunteers' Top Recruiting Targets for 2016

With Tennessee taking fewer football commitments in this year's recruiting class due to sheer numbers, the Vols' 2016 start isn't quite as torrid as it has been the past couple of cycles.

That's not necessarily a bad thing as UT can be a little more selective in handpicking players than in years past.

Most of the recent activity for head coach Butch Jones in this recruiting class hasn't been positive, however.

First, linebacker Emanuel Bridges decided to reopen his recruitment after an early pledge to the Vols. Then, on Tuesday, 4-star quarterback pledge Austin Kendall decommitted.

Kendall had been shaky since Sheriron Jones gave UT three quarterback pledges in the 2015 class and lead recruiter and former offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian departed. So now, the Vols will begin the quest to sign their signal-caller in this class as well.

With just five early commitments in the '16 class, there is plenty of room for Jones and crew to work and numerous spots to fill.

Tennessee's roster features several big needs, so with those in mind as well as some elite talent with some Vols connections, and other factors such as geography and bloodlines, let's take a look at some of the top targets on UT's board.

6. Joejuan Williams, Hendersonville (Tenn.) Safety

Credit: 247Sports

In-state safety Joejuan Williams likes Auburn and LSU, among others, but the Vols are currently right in the thick of the race to land his signature.

In the 2015 recruiting cycle, two of Tennessee's biggest needs were an offensive tackle and an impact pass-rusher. The Vols were able to find both within state lines, signing defensive end Kyle Phillips and offensive lineman Drew Richmond.

This year, head coach Butch Jones again will look to fill big roster holes in the Volunteer State.

Arguably the biggest need in this year's class is getting a couple of elite safeties, since Brian Randolph and LaDarrell McNeil are entering their final years on Rocky Top.

That's why defensive back Joejuan Williams is such a priority.

Williams is a 6'2", 195-pound athlete with the versatility to play cornerback or safety. He has the length and range as well as the speed and hard-hitting ability that scream SEC safety. That's why several teams around the country covet him.

While the Vols are in the thick of things, Auburn made a big impression on him last week, according to 247Sports' Keith Niebhur, who said Williams "gave serious thought to ending his recruitment" with a commitment to the Tigers.

UT still holds 50 percent of his Crystal Ball projections, but Williams' choices are all over the place. Considering the way UT has recruited the state during the past two years and with Williams being close to some of the players already on the roster, UT will be in this race until the end.

But it's going to be a long, hard battle to earn his signature.

5. Daniel Bituli, Nashville Linebacker

Credit: 247Sports

Middle Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli likes the Vols, but there are several other teams in the running as well.

The state of Tennessee hasn't produced many top-tier linebackers in recent years, but one in this year's cycle is Nashville Christian School's Daniel Bituli.

Tennessee ace recruiter Tommy Thigpen is on the job, making Bituli a major priority. The 6'3", 227-pound playmaker is blessed with a huge frame that could hold even more weight, and he already looks like a college-ready linebacker.

He's the state's second-ranked overall player as well as the ninth-ranked outside linebacker in the entire class, according to the 247Sports composite.

The best news for UT is it currently sits in a stellar spot to gain a commitment from Bituli, who is a native of The Congo.

Following his late-January visit to Knoxville, Bituli told GoVols247's Ryan Callahan, "UT and Ole Miss are still on top right now. After this visit, UT is on top now."

While linebacker isn't the biggest need this season, there's no way you can allow a player with Bituli's elite potential to leave the state.

It's going to be difficult to win the battle, though. Bituli's teammate at Nashville Christian and close friend Alex Givens signed with Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, and the two have talked about playing together.

UT has positioned itself well early, but Butch Jones will have to work to close the deal.

4. Mecole Hardman, Elberton, (Ga.) Wide Receiver

Credit: 247Sports

Mecole Hardman is a dynamite athlete, and it's a two-team race between the Vols and Georgia early on.

For several months, Georgia athlete Mecole Hardman referred to the Tennessee Vols as his leader until the home-state Bulldogs swooped in and wowed him in the past month.

Now, the 5'11", 170-pound prospect from Elberton refers to UGA and Tennessee in the same breath at the top.

With the Vols desperately needing receivers in this year's recruiting cycle, Hardman is right at the head of the list. He has turn-on-the-dime skills and also possesses the extra gear that can help him run away from defenders on the second level.

He's called an athlete on his 247Sports profile, but he's ranked as a cornerback. UT wants him as a wide receiver, which is why receivers coach and passing game coordinator Zach Azzanni leads his recruitment.

Hardman seems to be giving each of the two SEC East rivals equal consideration, as he has visited Butch Jones' and Mark Richt's programs each three times since the calendar flipped to 2015, per 247Sports' Ryan Callahan:

"

I'm always going to feel the same about Tennessee. It's one of my top schools, and it's always been. It's one of my top schools, along with Georgia. When I go up there, it's just a good time hanging with the coaches and talking to some of the players. It's always a great feeling you have when you go up there.

"

The Vols may wind up signing three or four wide receivers in this cycle, and it appears they've put as much early emphasis on Hardman as anybody in the class so far. He's a special athlete that UT wants to play his college days in Neyland Stadium.

3. Jarrett Guarantano, Oradell, (N.J.) Quarterback

Credit: 247Sports

With Tuesday's decommitment of Austin Kendall, Jarrett Guarantano becomes a major priority.

Austin Kendall's decommitment stings, but only a little while if the Vols can land 4-star stud prospect Jarrett Guarantano, the nation's sixth-rated pro-style passer.

The 6'4", 200-pound signal-caller from Bergen Catholic High School in New Jersey has a great arm, and he can run a little too, posting a 4.59 40-yard dash, according to his 247Sports profile.

While his father's alma mater, Rutgers, currently holds the Crystal Ball advantage, the Vols are a serious threat to land him. This is a kid who has blown up with offers from LSU, Alabama, Ohio State and many others.

According to GoVols247's Ryan Callahan, Guarantano's father played for the Scarlet Knights when UT coach Butch Jones was a graduate assistant there, and that is a connection working in the Vols' favor.

Another tie with Guarantano is he attends the high school of former UT offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian. He's also an ideal fit for what the Vols want to do offensively, perhaps even a better fit than Kendall.

Tennessee positioned itself nicely for Guarantano early on, and even though Kendall was committed, UT continued to pursue him.

Guarantano immediately surged up the Vols' big board once Kendall decommitted, and UT probably looks a whole lot more attractive to him now, too. With a rumored visit to Knoxville expected soon, per his 247Sports page, the Vols could become major players to land his commitment.

2. Elijah Holyfield, Atlanta Running Back

Credit: 247Sports

Elijah Holyfield's father is world champion heavyweight boxer Evander Holyfield. Now, the younger Holyfield will try to make a name for himself.

Tennessee is involved with several heavy hitters at running back early on in the 2016 recruiting cycle, but few pack a bigger punch than Elijah Holyfield.

The son of former heavyweight champion of the world Evander Holyfield isn't just getting recruited because of his famous name. The Woodward Academy running back is 5'11", 205 pounds and is a perfect all-around back that teams from across the nation covet.

Auburn is a heavy favorite on the 247Sports Crystal Ball after a visit to the Plains this past weekend. His brother was a walk-on there, so the family already has ties to the school.

But Tennessee isn't out of the picture by any means. He's actually visiting Rocky Top on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Vols are in the mix.

He told GoVols247's Ryan Callahan last week that UT is telling him he's the top target at running back and that his relationship with UT coach Butch Jones is "by far" the best relationship he has with a head coach.

With running back depth still a major issue, the Vols probably need to sign at least a couple in this cycle. If Holyfield is indeed the top guy on the list, that means he has to be near the top of the board altogether.

Tennessee has a huge opportunity to woo him this week.

1. Nigel Warrior, Atlanta Safety

Credit: 247Sports

Nigel Warrior is the son of Vols great Dale Carter. He's also a star prospect.

Back in the early 1990s when Tennessee was really starting to become a blossoming powerhouse again, Dale Carter roamed the field, terrorizing opponents.

He was a big-hitting, ball-hawking defender and possessed the kind of speed that made him a special player. He could change games on defense or in the return game.

Now, all these years later, UT hopes to have his son holding down the back end of its defense for the next four years. Atlanta Westlake star defensive back Nigel Warrior is Carter's son, and he's also the nation's fifth-ranked safety.

Not only does Warrior possess an all-pro name, but his offer sheet is among the best in the country. Currently, the home-state Georgia Bulldogs hold a 56 percent to 44 percent edge over the Vols in the 247Sports Crystal Ball as the favorites to earn his signature.

In his three years as the head coach at Tennessee, Butch Jones has yet to lose a legacy he really wanted. So, you have to like UT's chances to sign Warrior, who had the Vols as an early favorite before resetting his recruitment.

Now, Auburn, LSU, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State and others are in the mix for the 6'0", 175-pound defender.

Tennessee needs to ramp up the heat on Warrior. He's this year's can't-lose legacy for the Vols.

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

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