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

Following an insane "Orange Carpet Day" recruiting event on June 18 that yielded eight commitments, Tennessee football recruiting has picked up considerably.

The Volunteers now have 17 commitments (though only two 4-star prospects) and currently rank ninth nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings with Sunday night's decommitment of receiver KD Nixon.

Head coach Butch Jones is expected to sign a full class of at least 25, and though that pledge list will change between now and national signing day, it's another solid start.

Plenty of UT's top targets will be on display at The Opening, Nike's premier recruiting event at the company headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, on July 8-10. It's a who's-who of high school star recruits, and the Vols (along with everybody else) are courting several playmakers.

Though Tennessee has just one pledge from a participant thus far in La Vergne, Tennessee, safety Maleik Gray, the Vols are hoping to change that.

Numerous players UT wants in its class will be on display, including running back Cam Akers, cornerback Deangelo Gibbs, receiver Tee Higgins and offensive lineman Trey Smith.

There are many more players with the Vols on the tips of their tongues. If UT goes out and shows out on the field in 2016 (as expected), there's no reason Jones can't add several of these players.

Hopefully for Tennessee, the Vols will land some of these stars to supplement the substance that was provided by Orange Carpet Day, a haul that impressed recruiting analysts such as 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong:

"

The Vols are now building depth within a program that has been rebuilt by Jones and company into a National Title contender. The roster has been completely overhauled and this 2017 class is on track to supplement what’s been done the previous years where Tennessee signed the No. 14 class in 2016, No. 4 in 2015 and No. 7 in 2014 per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Rankings.

"

So, if you're a Tennessee fan, who are the names you should pay attention to at The Opening? Let's take a look at a few who'll be trying to make even bigger names for themselves in Oregon.

Cam Akers, Running Back

Credit: 247Sports

Along with Nashville running back Ty Chandler, Mississippi running back Cam Akers may just be one of the two biggest targets on Tennessee's recruiting board.

Everybody wants the 5'11 ½", 212-pound bruiser from Clinton, Mississippi, who was once committed to Alabama and now has opened things up. The Vols' biggest competition is expected to be Ohio State, Ole Miss, Georgia and LSU, but they've got a legit shot.

With Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara expected to go pro after this season, there are plenty of carries to be won in UT's future backfield. John Kelly looked like he had some potential this spring, but is he a workhorse? Carlin Fils-aime was a nice pickup in the 2016 class, but he's a change-of-pace back.

Akers looks like the typical star in the making who can carry the ball 30 times a game. The Vols would like nothing more than to insert him in 2017 and keep on with their run-oriented style. 

The Vols could sign as many as three running backs, but they'll definitely get two in this year's class. Already, West Monroe, Louisiana, runner Trey Coleman pulled the trigger for Tennessee at Orange Carpet Day. He's also a 5'11", 203-pound every-down back, but Akers is elite.

That's why everybody in the nation wants him.

The Vols will face some stiff competition for the nation's second-ranked running back and No. 16 player overall, but they're off to a nice start with him. If they could lure Akers to Knoxville, he'd be a centerpiece around which to build the class and the post-Hurd/Kamara era.

Obinna Eze, Offensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

One of the most intriguing prospects on Tennessee's board is raw-but-talented offensive tackle Obinna Eze of Nashville's Davidson Academy.

The 6'6 ½", 277-pound lineman originally from Nigeria hasn't been playing football for long, but that hasn't stopped some of the nation's top programs from seeing his massive potential. Alabama, Georgia and others have noticed just how much upside he has.

The Vols would love nothing more than for him to realize that potential in Knoxville.

As strong of a start as UT is off to in this class, it hasn't really dominated yet in-state, where the deepest and most star-studded group of players in Volunteer State history outfit this class. Eze is among them, and he remains uncommitted.

After working out for Tennessee at the Vols' Nashville satellite camp recently, it only reiterated how much they wanted him. Eze liked what he saw from UT offensive line coach Don Mahoney, as he told GoVols247's Ryan Callahan:

"

I wanted to really experience Coach Mahoney's coaching, and that’s, like, the only thing I went there to accomplish. That’s the only thing I went there to do. I experienced it, and I'm happy. I like Mahoney. He works fast, but at the same time he’s patient. Working with him on the field, it was mainly getting to know him and understand him. I feel like, when a coach is coaching, that’s where you really see how passionate they are. I got to see him for who he is, and it was good for me to get to know him on a different level.

"

There's no question West Tennessee prospect Trey Smith sits at the top of UT's offensive tackle board (more on him later in the slideshow), but Eze isn't far behind. With the Vols expected to sign just three or four linemen in this class, there are only a couple of spots left.

It's possible they could fill those two spots without leaving the state borders.

Justin Foster, Linebacker

Credit: 247Sports

With Jalen Reeves-Maybin heading out after this year, the Vols need linebackers. They also need to build depth at the position.

The class is off to a solid start with three guys UT likes a lot in Jaquan Henderson, Solon Page III and Mo Burnam, but with some big names left on the board, that group could change a lot between now and next February.

One player Tennessee would love to add and the Vols are right in the thick of is North Carolina jumbo backer Justin Foster, who looks like the perfect player to step into the shoes of Darrin Kirkland Jr. in a couple of years.

The 6'4", 240-pound linebacker from Shelby, North Carolina, has liked the Vols for a long time. He recently told 247Sports' Ryan Bartow that the Vols have an "edge" in his recruitment right now and are in "good shape." 

That's huge news, especially considering Clemson, Notre Dame and Georgia all impressed Foster in recent trips.

Foster is a player unlike anybody Tennessee has committed this year. He would probably battle with '16 signee Daniel Bituli for the spot in the middle of UT's defense after Kirkland departs. He's big, rangy and is an elite tackler. It's also not out of the realm of possibility that he can play end if he keeps growing.

He has the opportunity to show the nation that he's among the top linebackers in Oregon, because some teams are looking at him as a down lineman. Not the Vols. They want him on the second level of the defense, and Foster is going to be able to prove he belongs there on one of the nation's biggest recruiting stages.

No matter where his future position is, the Vols hope he plays it on Rocky Top.

Deangelo Gibbs, Cornerback

Credit: 247Sports

The nation's fourth-ranked cornerback has a huge tie to Tennessee. 

Loganville, Georgia, 4-star defensive back Deangelo Gibbs is the first cousin of Vols 2016 star commitment Nigel Warrior, and the two are tight. Warrior is the son of Tennessee legend Dale Carter, too, and there's a strong chance the duo plays their college ball together.

But that hasn't stopped the homestate Bulldogs from charging hard recently in Gibbs' recruitment. Head coach Kirby Smart is putting on the heat, and UGA currently holds a 68 percent-to-32 percent advantage in the commitment predictions on the 247Sports "crystal ball" projections.

Do the Vols still have a lead for Gibbs' services? Kipp Adams of 247Sports isn't so sure:

"

Deangelo Gibbs (Loganville, Ga./Grayson), soon-to-be number one prospect in the state with Robert Beal (Norcross, Ga./IMG Academy) transferring out for his senior year, has long been thought to be a Georgia versus Tennessee battle. The Volunteers were thought to have the edge in comfort level with his cousin Nigel Warrior having signed with Tennessee back in February. Georgia may have taken the lead in that regard with the transfer of former Tulsa defensive back JR Reed, also a cousin of Gibbs, and the son of Jake Reed, who trains Gibbs in the offseason.

"

It's going to be an interesting battle between the two SEC East rivals for Gibbs' signature, and others could firmly enter the mix, too, with the prospect not expected to make a decision any time soon.

Last year, Warrior's recruitment went the distance, with Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and Auburn all feeling strongly about their chances at various times throughout the cycle. Jones stayed firm in his recruiting of Warrior, and it ultimately helped the Vols win out.

With Warrior now recruiting Gibbs for Tennessee, it would be unwise to bet on anybody but the Vols for his services. But Georgia is going to be a formidable opponent.

Whoever wins that battle will earn at least three years of one of the best and most versatile prospects in the entire Southeast.

Maleik Gray, Safety

Credit: 247Sports

Tennessee won one of the biggest recruiting battles in the state recently when Gray decided he'd end his recruitment with a pledge to the Vols so he could begin trying to lure some of his peers to Knoxville.

The 6'2", 186-pound prospect already has helped Tennessee close the deal with LaVergne teammate Princeton Fant, and he's now setting his sights on Tee Higgins and JaCoby Stevens. The Vols may have an uphill battle with the latter and a neck-and-neck struggle with Clemson for the former.

But don't discount Gray's clout in prospects' minds.

Stevens still has Georgia and LSU on top, but he recently told Callahan that he's giving the Vols a harder look after Gray's pledge: "I mean, when someone like Maleik Gray goes, you've got to look at it."

So far, the nation's No. 59-rated player is the jewel of Tennessee's class. He was thought to be favoring Florida State and Southern Cal for the longest, but the Vols got him and Fant on campus multiple times and showed him the kind of atmosphere he wanted to see in a college.

Now, he's going to try to help them sign some of the top prospects in the state.

Gray is versatile and perhaps can play several positions from cornerback to linebacker, but safety looks like the best spot for him. That's where the Vols have recruited him to play, and Gray is good enough to play wherever he wants on the next level.

It may not be the easiest year for the Vols in luring in-state prospects, but getting Gray in June is a huge coup that could pay dividends on the trail. He'll try to prove in Oregon that he's not only one of the best players in the state but in the entire nation.

Chase Hayden, Athlete

Credit: 247Sports

Perhaps one of the most surprising players on this list is all-purpose running back/athlete Chase Hayden, who may seem a lock to be a Vol considering his father, Aaron, was a great Tennessee running back under Johnny Majors.

That isn't the case for the 5'10", 185-pound prospect from Collierville, Tennessee, who recently named South Carolina his leader and has Arkansas really high on his list, too. The Vols may not be recruiting him as hard right now as several other teams on his list, but he's still one to watch.

With connections like Hayden's, it's possible that the Vols can turn up the heat on him and still get him to Knoxville. But it's also possible that coming to UT just isn't a fit for either side and Hayden could go somewhere else.

If Hayden follows through with a summer decision, it probably wouldn't be UT right now. That may be surprising considering the family ties. But with Hayden's position potentially up in the air (he could be a running back or maybe even a slot receiver), he may not be the best fit at Tennessee.

That's OK for both sides. It may be difficult for old Vols fans to see a player with "Hayden" on his jersey go somewhere else considering just how good his daddy was for Tennessee, but everybody has to make their own decisions.

With a strong performance in Oregon, Hayden may have a bunch more suitors. If Tennessee turns up the pressure in his recruitment, it would be intriguing to see if the Vols could get back in the thick of the race for his signature.

Malik Herring, Defensive End

Credit: 247Sports

Another prospect whose commitment is shaping up to potentially be a Tennessee-Georgia battle is 6'3 ½", 261-pound defensive end Malik Herring, but don't count out Alabama, Clemson or Florida State, either.

The Vols have impressed Herring in the multiple times he's visited campus, and with every team needing explosive playmakers off the edge in every class, Herring is one of the top prospects who fits that bill in the region.

He's the seventh-rated weak-side defensive end nationally and the No. 99-rated overall player in the class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and his suitor list is as good as anybody's you'll find. Still, the Vols are right in the thick of things.

But it would be a shocker if he left the state considering the relationship he's built with Smart. The first-year Georgia head coach is building an impressive class—especially on the defensive side—and Herring could be a part of it.

Following his last visit to Knoxville for Orange Carpet Day, Herring released his top seven, and the Vols were in there along with the aforementioned schools, Southern Cal, LSU and a somewhat surprising inclusion of Middle Tennessee.

Anybody would love to have a player with Herring's upside, and there will be a lot of teams vying to position themselves well with the defensive lineman as the recruiting season heats up with the weather.

Is he the Bulldogs' to lose, or will another team come in there and steal his heart? The Vols are going to try to do the latter, and as long as they keep getting him on campus and win ballgames, they'll have the chance.

Tee Higgins, Wide Receiver

Credit: 247Sports

Higgins may wind up being the best player to come out of East Tennessee in a long, long time, and if the Vols allow him to get out of the shadow of Neyland Stadium, it would be a massive loss and a blow to the class.

It's going to be a battle for the 6'4 ½", 188-pound 5-star wide receiver from Oak Ridge.

Sure, he's a onetime Vols commitment who still has UT in the thick of the race for his signature, but Higgins has a list of suitors as large as his wingspan, and it's shaping up to be a two-team battle with upstart Clemson. The Tigers are a formidable opponent, too.

They already have a commitment from his buddy, Amari Rodgers (Southern Cal offensive coordinator and former Tennessee national champion quarterback Tee Martin's son), and quarterback Hunter Johnson, who was once a Vols pledge along with Higgins before both decommitted. 

Higgins recently told GoVols247's Callahan that the Vols are "still on top" for his services, and that was following a Clemson visit. With a summer decision possible, that could wind up being good news for Tennessee.

But don't count out head coach Dabo Swinney. He's done a good job with Higgins, and it wouldn't be a massive shock to see him leave the Volunteer State. Clemson has commitments from the two prospects close to Higgins, and they've already secured a verbal from Tennessee running back Cordarrian Richardson, too.

So, Clemson has prioritized the state, and it's paying big dividends for the other team in orange. Can it pay off with Higgins?

The Vols certainly hope not. Higgins is elite and could be the nation's top overall receiver. He's athletic, lanky and extremely smooth. He's a two-sport star who wants to play football and basketball collegiately, and the Vols and Tigers will both give him that opportunity.

Football is where his pro potential lies, however, and it would be a crushing blow if Higgins isn't part of this Tennessee class. The Vols are going to have to sweat this one until he pledges, and then all the way to national signing day.

Jeremiah Holloman, Wide Receiver

Credit: 247Sports

Hey, look, another Vols-Dawgs battle for a prospect. It's been that way since Jones got on campus and prioritized the state of Georgia, and Tennessee has won its fair share of battles in the Peach State.

One that it could wind up taking this year is 4-star receiver Jeremiah Holloman, a 6'2", 181-pound pass-catcher who is the nation's 28th-rated receiver. The Newton High School receiver from Covington, Georgia, saw one of his best friends and high school teammates, Jaquan Henderson, commit to UT last weekend.

Could Holloman follow in his buddy's footsteps?

He recently told GoVols247's Wes Rucker that he loved the atmosphere on Rocky Top: "I know I could really fit in here and fit in the offense, too. They definitely spread the ball around, and I know I can be a dominant receiver in that kind of offense."

With Henderson now in his ear, that's a major bonus for the Vols in trying to get him to jump from Georgia to Knoxville. 

The Vols need some difference-makers at receiver, and though UT signed several in the 2016 class, none of those guys have proved anything yet. Also, Josh Malone and Josh Smith are entering their junior seasons, so there will be available snaps for players in the 2017 class.

Holloman is a viable candidate and a major target for Tennessee. He's worth keeping an eye on at The Opening, because while he's a huge priority for several teams in the Southeast like the Vols, Dawgs and Auburn, he hasn't really become a national name.

A strong showing in Beaverton would do that. The Vols are hoping that he joins Henderson in orange, and also that they possibly bring along new receiver teammate Justin Marshall, too.

Newton High School is going to be a regular stop for UT coaches over the next few months.

Jack Sears, Quarterback

Credit: 247Sports

Tennessee would love to sign a quarterback in every single class, and with several targets off the board, that is looking like it's going to be a wide-open battle to see who gets that spot if the Vols wind up filling it in the 2017 class.

The top target right now remaining on the board is San Clemente, California, signal-caller Jack Sears. Though it would be difficult for anybody to lure him away from the West Coast where UCLA and USC are both zeroing in on him to be their quarterback in this class, too, the Vols are trying.

Sears is giving Tennessee (and Duke) extended looks despite being far away from home.

The 6'3", 200-pound quarterback is more of a pro-style prospect than the Vols have signed in recent years such as Joshua Dobbs, Sheriron Jones and Jarrett Guarantano. But, like sophomore UT signal-caller Quinten Dormady, Sears has some athleticism.

He's rated the country's No. 10 pro-style quarterback and a top 247 prospect, and he's one of the top uncommitted signal-callers remaining. But it's going to be tough to get him out of California.

If Sears doesn't make the call for Tennessee, it's uncertain where the Vols would go next. They've got a summer quarterback camp coming up, and they may have to be knocked off their feet to take a quarterback in this year's class.

But if Sears wanted to be a Vol, there would almost certainly be a spot for him. He'll try to show the nation that he's one of the best players in the Elite 11 as well as The Opening.

Trey Smith, Offensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

The past two seasons, Tennessee has stuck within state borders and signed offensive tackle prospects they expect to be anchoring their future lines.

Memphis University School lineman Drew Richmond flipped from Ole Miss to Tennessee on national signing day 2015, and Brentwood Academy's Ryan Johnson fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing for the Vols when he became one of UT's first '16 commits and stayed strong throughout the process.

This year's top candidate to be UT's star in-state tackle of the future is Trey Smith.

He's also one of the most coveted linemen in the nation, wanted by Alabama, Clemson, Ole Miss, Notre Dame and others. He's currently the third-ranked overall player in the class by 247Sports and a 5-star prospect.

There's a reason everybody wants him.

The 6'5 ½", 299-pound prospect could be the best lineman to come out of Tennessee in a long time. Blessed with ideal size and athleticism to play tackle in UT's zone-blocking scheme, he'd be a major coup for the Vols and a candidate to step right in and play as a true freshman.

Smith is that good.

But getting him to Knoxville isn't going to be easy. He likes the Crimson Tide, Tigers, Rebels, Fighting Irish and Vols. Nobody really knows who leads because Smith is quiet. Ohio State also could be a factor for the 5-star tackle.

The Vols recently held a satellite camp in Jackson, Tennessee, which the primary focus centered around Smith. That made a big impression on the big man.

"They're a top school, a top-five team," Smith recently told GoVols247's Callahan of the Vols. "I mean, I like them. (The camp) just shows they want me a lot. Plain and simple, it really does help them. It just shows they're serious about the recruitment right now. They’re real serious."

When you've got a chance to sign one of the top players in the country from your state, you'd better be serious. The Vols have that chance with Smith and Higgins. They need to close the deal.

Lamont Wade, Cornerback

Credit: 247Sports

It isn't every recruiting cycle that the Vols find themselves in the thick of the race for a Pennsylvania prospect.

But they're right in the mix thus far for Clairton cornerback Lamont Wade, the nation's No. 7 corner according to the 247Sports composite rankings. The Vols are up there with usual suspects for Midwest prospects like Penn State and Ohio State.

While it will be difficult to get Wade out of that region, the Vols have a strong point in their corner with new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, who had a pre-existing relationship with Wade from his time as the Nittany Lions coordinator.

Shoop has maintained that relationship, and with his track record of producing and developing elite secondary prospects, Wade could keep the Vols in his race for a long time.

At 5'9", 185 pounds, Wade isn't blessed with ideal size, but his speed and athleticism make up for what he lacks in stature. 

There will probably be the lure of the Buckeyes, especially with the crazy-good class head coach Urban Meyer is building in Columbus, and head coach James Franklin is a great recruiter in Happy Valley, too. But Jones and Shoop have a strong track record of winning some big recruiting battles.

Wade could be next.

It would be a major coup to get him from the Lions or Buckeyes, and teams such as Michigan, Michigan State and Alabama are in the thick of the race, too. So, there's a long way to go for his commitment.

But Shoop could have the Vols in this race for a while.

Jordan Williams, Defensive End

Credit: 247Sports

When Tennessee got an early commitment from defensive tackle Eric Crosby, he could have helped open the floodgates in the Tidewater area for the Vols.

UT has built a strong relationship with defensive linemen Breyon and Brandon Gaddy as well as jumbo defensive end Jordan Williams.

Currently, the Vols have an 80-20 percent edge over Clemson on the 247Sports crystal ball projections as to who will land Williams. Whoever does will be getting a player with a huge upside. 

The 6'4 ½", 260-pound lineman from Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach is versatile and quick enough to stay on the edge, or he could add 20-30 pounds and shift inside.

That would be ironic considering UT had another defensive lineman in the past couple of years by the same name who came to Knoxville as an end and wound up inside. So, why not keep the tradition of having a Jordan Williams in orange?

The Vols are recruiting Williams heavily and really want the 4-star prospect as part of their class. With Rutger Reitmaier off the board and committed to Oregon, it's possible the Vols could finish their entire defensive line recruiting class in the Tidewater area.

If they do, Williams may wind up being the top overall lineman target remaining on the board. He's that good, and his ceiling is high enough that a lot of teams are trying to lure him to their schools.

He'll show why in Oregon.

All quotes and information gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. All recruiting information gathered from 247Sports unless otherwise noted. All stats gathered at CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted.

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