Tennessee Football Recruiting: Vols Top Commits, Targets to Watch at the Opening

Many of the nation's top high school football players will converge July 7-10 at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, to take place in The Opening finals, and two Tennessee football commits will be among them.

Many more Volunteers targets will, too.

In what has become one of the country's biggest national recruiting showcases, athletes divided into six teams will compete against one another after being selected at regional events put on by StudentSports.com.

Tennessee's marquee quarterback commitment Jarrett Guarantano and stud cornerback pledge Marquill Osborne will head across the country to compete.

Though UT's class is quickly filling up, there will be many players there for whom the Vols would make room in their recruiting haul for 2016. 

Some of the very top targets on coach Butch Jones' board such as defensive backs Nigel Warrior, Nigel Knott and Joejuan Williams and offensive tackle Landon Dickerson all will be participating. There are numerous wide receivers there with mutual interest, too.

With everybody around the recruiting universe gearing up for The Opening and Elite 11 quarterback competition in July, let's take a look at Tennessee's top targets and commits participating in Nike's prestigious event.

Quarterback

Credit: 247Sports

Jarrett Guarantano

• High school (hometown): Bergen Catholic High School (Oradell, New Jersey)
• Height/weight: 6'4", 200 pounds
• Recruitment status: Committed to Tennessee

The perfect quarterback in this cycle (and in Butch Jones' entire tenure at UT) to run Tennessee's power-spread attack, Guarantano was a major coup by the Vols, which had several ties to the New Jersey product.

Jones was a graduate assistant at Rutgers when Guarantano's father played for the Scarlet Knights, and Guarantano attends the almer mater of former UT offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, who began recruiting him last year.

When Oklahoma pledge Austin Kendall committed to the Vols early in this recruiting cycle, the flirtation with Guarantano appeared over. Kendall decommitted, however, after new coordinator Mike DeBord came on at UT. The Vols had kept recruiting Guarantano and then turned up the pressure.

They ultimately got the best quarterback possible for the system.

Guarantano visited and committed to the Vols over Ohio State and his father's alma mater on an exclusive B/R trailer.

"It's a great system that fits my style of play," Guarantano told 247Sports' Ryan Lance. "I like how it's a pro-style offense that features both pocket passing and QB runs and reads. I can sit in the pocket and throw the ball down field, and I can tuck the ball and run; I think it's a great fit."

Guarantano has an elite ceiling considering he has a laser arm and blazing speed. He's extremely raw and needs some time to develop those skills, but he'll have that at Tennessee, which currently has a stable quarterback situation.

This will be an opportunity for Guarantano to prove he's among the nation's top signal-callers.

Running Backs

Credit: 247Sports

Tennessee has an uphill battle in trying to pluck Elijah Holyfield from Georgia or Auburn.

Elijah Holyfield

• High school (hometown): Woodward Academy (Atlanta)
• Height/weight: 5'11", 205
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee among choices

Holyfield is one of the top running back prospects in the Southeast and the son of former heavyweight champion of the world Evander Holyfield.

It was expected for a long time that Auburn led for his services after his older brother walked on there in the past. But the home-state Bulldogs have made a recent push, and the 247Sports Crystal Ball now points to the Tigers as only a slight favorite.

Kipp Adams of 247Sports recently caught up to Holyfield, who said he sees a "good fit" in Athens. The powerful running back recently visited UT, but the emotional ties to family and staying close to home may be too difficult to overcome.

Kareem Walker

• High school (hometown): De Paul Catholic High School (Wayne, New Jersey)
• Height/weight: 6'1", 210 pounds
• Recruitment status: Committed to Ohio State

The nation's top-ranked running back committed to the Buckeyes in January before their national championship, and he has remained firm despite overtures from other suitors. 

Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer is going to have to battle to keep him, however, as several other schools—including Alabama, Penn State and Tennessee—are coming hard after him.

Vols quarterback commit Jarrett Guarantano told 247Sports' Ryan Bartow that Walker was his top target, so with both of them competing in Oregon, Guarantano will have the opportunity to get in Walker's ear again.

Tavien Feaster

• High school (hometown): Spartanburg High School (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
• Height/weight: 6'0", 204 pounds
• Recruitment status: Committed to Clemson

The nation's top-ranked all-purpose back would be an ideal fit for Tennessee's system and was arguably the Vols' top target at the position until he committed to Dabo Swinney's Tigers in February.

Feaster has since given no indication that he's anything but firm to Clemson, and though other teams (including UT) will try to pry him away, it'll be difficult to turn him. Expect many to keep going after him, though, because he's an elite talent.

Wide Receivers

Credit: 247Sports

Elite WR Donnie Corley is thought to be favoring Michigan State but recently moved back his decision following a visit to UT.

Freddie Swain

• High school (hometown): North Marion High School (Citra, Florida)
• Height/weight: 6'0", 172 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Tennessee, Miami, Southern Cal, Alabama among choices

Tennessee may wind up being a serious contender for the nation's No. 41-ranked receiver and a top 247Sports talent. He was thought to be leaning toward USC, but with the Trojans liking other targets, the Vols have moved into a considerable lead in the 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction for his services.

The Vols have commitments from receivers Jeff George and Corey Henderson, but they need at least two more. With an offer sheet like Swain's, they'll probably be happy to add him if they can. 

Binjimen Victor

• High school (hometown): Coconut Creek High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
• Height/weight: 6'4", 170 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Florida, Tennessee, Ohio State, Arkansas among choices

There are a healthy number of options for the Vols when it comes to receiver targets. Victor may be a long shot, but UT would love to have him. 

The 247Sports Crystal Ball points to the Gators as the overwhelming favorite for the rangy receiver over Ohio State, but UT could position itself to get more in the race if he'd head to Knoxville again. If Victor announces his decision this summer, it'll be tough for the Vols to make a move.

Getting a player of Victor's ilk from South Florida would be a major coup, but at this point, that seems tough.

Mecole Hardman Jr.

• High school (hometown): Elbert County High School (Elberton, Georgia)
• Height/weight: 5'11", 173 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Georgia and Tennessee are favorites, but Auburn also in mix

Tennessee once led for the elite playmaker from north Georgia, but the Crystal Ball has since flipped overwhelmingly in favor of the home-state Bulldogs.

Though Hardman maintains in every interview that UT and UGA are still at the top, the athlete has made plenty of visits to Georgia recently. He also has been to Knoxville many times, but it'll be tough to get him to leave the state.

Hardman recently told 247Sports' Kipp Adams: "Everybody is liking Georgia right now."

The Vols are trying to get Hardman to play receiver for them, and Georgia coach Mark Richt wants him as a cornerback. That should tell you all you need to know about Hardman's elite skill set. Whoever gets him will be getting a stud on either side of the ball.

Kyle Davis

• High school (hometown): Archer High School (Lawrenceville, Georgia)
• Height/weight: 6'3", 211 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Auburn among choices

The one-time South Carolina commitment decommitted from the Gamecocks, and UGA is the huge favorite to land him. But the Vols are right there, and Davis is listening.

One of the best all-around receivers in the country, Davis has exceptional size to go across the middle and punish defensive backs. He also has the speed to get around them. He is a great pass-catcher, and he is similar in build to former Vol Da'Rick Rogers—a Georgia prospect who decided to head to Knoxville.

Davis is arguably UT's top receiver target along with Donnie Corley. Getting him out of Georgia will be hard, but it would be a huge win if the Vols can make it happen.

Donnie Corley

• High school (hometown): Detroit Martin Luther King High School (Wyandotte, Michigan)
• Height/weight: 6'2", 180 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Michigan State, Tennessee, Ohio State, Notre Dame among choices

Tennessee has been a major player in Corley's recruitment, and the Vols only cemented that status when he came down for last weekend's "Orange Carpet Day." 

Corley told GoVols247's Ryan Callahan following the visit that UT was in his top three: 

"

I was actually close to making a decision, so I wanted to just make this one more run to the schools that I like. I came down here once, but I wanted to get more of a look at it. It's amazing—the facilities, coaches. All the coaches are cool. I talked to some players. I like it. The plan was to make (a decision) soon. But after coming down here, it's amazing, so I might have to push it back a little bit. … I think I'll push it back a little bit, just by this visit right here.

"

That sounds promising for UT, though the Spartans are still considered a big favorite in the Crystal Ball.

Corley has since told 247Sports' Bill Kurelic he was going to try to make it to Ohio State's Friday Night Lights camp July 24, and his plan was still to announce a decision before his senior season starts. The Vols are fighting an uphill battle, but at least they've given themselves a chance.

Dillon Mitchell

• High school (hometown): White Station High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
• Height/weight: 6'0.5", 191 pounds
• Recruitment status: Committed to Oregon

Vols coach Butch Jones has done a great job of keeping Tennessee kids at home during his three years in Knoxville, but one who looks like he may get away is Mitchell.

The elite receiver pledged to Oregon early in the process, and he has stuck with the Ducks since. With so many receivers on their list, the Vols haven't lost touch with Mitchell. He told Callahan in early May that he may take official visits to Ohio State and Alabama and still talks to UT "every other day."

Flipping Mitchell will be tough, but Jones will probably give it another couple of tries.

Offensive Line

Credit: 247Sports

Landon Dickerson

• High school (hometown): South Caldwell High School (Hudson, North Carolina)
• Height/weight: 6'5", 306 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Virginia Tech, Tennessee, South Carolina, Auburn, Florida, Florida State among choices

Now that Brodarious Hamm decommitted from UT, the Vols have just one offensive line commitment in tackle Ryan Johnson.

Though they may only take one or two more, at the top of that list is Dickerson, an athletic exterior wall with a mean streak. Dickerson's grandfather played for the Hokies, so Frank Beamer's team holds a big edge in the Crystal Ball projections.

But Dickerson also enjoyed visits to Tennessee and South Carolina and lists them in his top group. He also wants to make a Florida swing. Auburn recently joined Dickerson's list of favorites, according to the State's Phil Kornblut.

Once expected to be a player who ended the process relatively early, Dickerson's stock has blown up in recent months. Now, he told Kornblut, he'll take his time: “I’m not looking to rush into a commitment,” he said. “I’m going to be open for a long time and take a few official visits.”

It wouldn't be a major surprise to see Dickerson wind up as one of the best offensive linemen in Beaverton. Tennessee has done a great job getting in his top group. If the Vols can land him, it will solidify another great line class.

Defensive Line

Credit: 247Sports

Janarius Robinson is already committed to Florida State, but Tennessee is trying to flip him.

Derrick Brown

• High school (hometown): Lanier High School (Buford, Georgia)
• Height/weight: 6'4", 314 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama among choices

After last year's monster haul on the defensive line, you'd think the Vols were set for a while. But they still need to add depth on the interior of the line to go along with Kahlil McKenzie, Shy Tuttle and Co.

One of the biggest targets on UT's board is Brown, who recently named the Vols in his top group—along with Georgia, Alabama and Auburn—after an unofficial visit to Knoxville where he told GoVols247's Ryan Callahan he had "fun" hanging out with players and talking to coaches.

It'll be tough for anybody to pull Brown away from the home-state Bulldogs, who once was named as his leader and still are right there at the top. The Vols are going to try to get an official visit, but stealing him may be a hard deal.

Janarius Robinson

• High school (hometown): Bay High School (Panama City, Florida)
• Height/weight: 6'5.5", 260 pounds
• Recruitment status: Committed to Florida State but Alabama, Tennessee, others still trying

Perhaps the biggest freak talent on the defensive line in this year's cycle is Robinson, a Florida State commit who the Vols would love to flip.

With a massive frame and great edge speed, he'd fall right in line with the success defensive line coach Steve Stripling had on the trail last year, signing Kyle Phillips, Darrell Taylor, Andrew Butcher, Quay Picou, McKenzie and Tuttle.

Robinson is also coveted by other teams, such as Alabama, but he's done nothing to indicate he's thinking of anybody besides the Seminoles, who are close to his Panama City home. If the Vols have a huge year, maybe they can get him to listen.

Rashan Gary

• High school (hometown): Paramus Catholic High School (Paramus, New Jersey)
• Height/weight: 6'4", 311 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Alabama, Ohio State, Auburn, Tennessee, Rutgers among choices

Gary is on everybody's wish list. The nation's No. 1 player has yet to visit Knoxville, but the Vols are trying to get him down there. He has a pre-existing relationship with UT quarterback commitment Jarrett Guarantano, so he may get to hear all about the Vols while in Oregon.

The New Jersey defensive tackle is a star talent, and his leaders include the nation's top teams. Tennessee is trying to get in the mix, but with all the suitors, that's not going to be an easy task.

If Guarantano could somehow convince Gary or Kareem Walker to join him at UT, it would mean a tremendous haul for the Vols.

Defensive Backs

Credit: 247Sports

Cornerback Nigel Knott has visited Knoxville more than once.

Marquill Osborne

• High school (hometown): William Amos Hough High School (Cornelius, North Carolina)
• Height/weight: 5'11", 185 pounds
• Recruitment status: Committed to Tennessee

As Tennessee tries to poach commitments of other teams, schools around the country will attempt to do the same to them. Osborne has been pledged to UT for a while now, but plenty of teams are kicking the tires.

Florida, Clemson and Michigan are just a few.

Though Osborne recently told the GoVols247 staff that he remains "solid" to UT, he hasn't closed the door on visits. He's rangy and athletic, and he's just the kind of difference-making defensive back teams covet. The Vols will have to fight to keep his commitment.

The Gators are arguably the biggest threat to UT right now, but Vols and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez will do all they can to hang on to him.

Joejuan Williams

• High school (hometown): Hendersonville High School (Hendersonville, Tennessee)
• Height/weight: 6'2", 195 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Alabama among choices

Without question, the biggest in-state target on UT's recruiting board is mid-state defensive back Williams. He was blessed with exceptional size and has the versatility to play cornerback or safety with his athleticism and skill set.

That's why some of the nation's top programs (especially around the SEC) are going after him hard. Williams recently visited Southern Cal, and if coach Butch Jones is going to earn a commitment from him, he'll have to battle the nation's top teams to get it.

The Vols appear to like Williams as a safety, but the good thing is he can play anywhere on the back level. The way Jones has recruited the state the past two years, it'll be tough to bet against the Vols here.

Nigel Warrior

• High school (hometown): Peachtree Ridge High School (Suwanee, Georgia)
• Height/weight: 6'0", 175 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State among choices

When it comes to Tennessee legacies, Jones has done a great job of keeping them in the family and convincing the ones he wants to be Vols.

That trend needs to continue with Warrior, an elite safety from the Atlanta area who also just happens to be the son of Vols legendary defensive back Dale Carter. Right now, Georgia holds a 60/40 percent edge in the 247Sports Crystal Ball for Warrior's signature, but he's been relatively quiet throughout the process.

Early in the cycle, Warrior called UT his leader before starting at square one. The Dawgs, Alabama and Ohio State are some of the teams trying to get him not to follow in his father's footsteps.

Nigel Knott

• High school (hometown): Germantown High School (Madison, Mississippi)
• Height/weight: 5'11", 175 pounds
• Recruitment status: Uncommitted. Tennessee, Ole Miss, Florida State, Alabama, Oregon among choices

With Osborne already in the fold and after two strong secondary classes in a row, the Vols aren't in desperate need of cornerbacks. But the one target they'd absolutely love to land is Knott.

He's arguably one of UT's top targets, regardless of position.

Though Knott's father played for Ole Miss, the Madison, Mississippi, native seems wide open, and he was once expected to announce his decision at The Opening. That's no longer the case, which bodes well for Tennessee and others, though Florida State has a slight edge. 

Knott is elite with top-shelf speed and coverage skills. Anybody who gets him will have a star on their hands.

All observations gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. All statistics gathered from CFBStats.com, unless otherwise noted. All recruiting information obtained from 247Sports.

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