Tennessee Football Recruiting: Vols 2017 Class off to Hot Start

One day after landing 5-star quarterback Hunter Johnson, Tennessee’s 2017 recruiting class added another major piece when 4-star receiver Tee Higgins announced his commitment to the Vols on Monday.

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#GBO pic.twitter.com/jw28EVBnGY

— Tee Higgins (@teehiggins5) August 25, 2015"

With two prospects who rate among the nation’s top 50 overall prospects in the 2017 class already bound for Knoxville, Volunteers head coach Butch Jones and his staff are clearly making a splash in the early phases of next year’s cycle.

Considering the Vols had yet to secure a commitment from any rising juniors as of last week, the two newest commits represent a huge surge for Tennessee on the recruiting trail. 

With the dynamic pass-catch duo in the fold, what’s the outlook for the remainder of the Vols 2017 class? 

There’s still a long way to go, but Jones and his staff have a strong foundation to build off with Johnson and Higgins.

Higgins—who represents the top prospect from Tennessee in 2017—chose the Vols over offers from powers such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and Ohio State, among others. 

According to Ryan Callahan of GoVols247, Jones was ecstatic when Higgins told him he wanted to commit to the Volunteers. 

“I just felt like it was right,” Higgins told Callahan. “Me and my mom have been talking about it for a while, and I decided I wanted to do it today. I had no clue I was going to do it this early. I just felt like it was time.”

The 2017 flurry hasn’t come out of nowhere. Instead, it’s the continuation of a theme of growing optimism surrounding the future of the Vols program under Jones.

Jones signed the No. 4 class in the nation in February, and the Vols 2016 class is currently sitting at No. 15 in the nation—with plenty of elite prospects who are heavily considering Tennessee left on the board.

If Tennessee finds success on the field this fall, where they are expected to contend for the SEC’s Eastern Division crown, the fruits are likely to be found in future recruiting classes.

As Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports details, Johnson’s pledge is likely to resonate with other top 2017 prospects who have Tennessee high on their respective lists.

Higgins leads a deep in-state crop for 2017, with nationally elite talents such as 4-star athlete Maleik Gray, 4-star running backs Ty Chandler and Cordarrian Richardson and 4-star defensive end Isaiah Stokes among the homegrown standouts that Tennessee is hoping to keep close to home.

With the momentum the Vols are building on the recruiting trail, Jones and his staff have Tennessee primed to land another loaded class in 2017.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani