KNOXVILLE - Tennessee picked up a commitment from junior college cornerback Kenneth George on Saturday night. George is in the class of 2018, meaning he is expected to join the Volunteers this summer and be available this season.
George, who is coming from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, will fill a position of need on the 2018 roster as the Vols replace their top three cornerbacks and starting nickel back from 2017.
Tyler Byrd and Carlin Fils-aime, who played on offense as sophomores last season, have been moved to the secondary during spring practices in an attempt to shore up the unit's depth.
Tennessee wide receiver Tyler Byrd dances on the field before an NCAA football game against Southern Mississippi at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Knoxville, Tenn.George also had a scholarship offer from Nebraska. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder had 27 tackles and two interceptions as a redshirt freshman in 2017. In a message posted to Twitter announcing his commitment to Tennessee, George thanked God, his family and his coaches at Trinity Valley "for allowing a player who had no experience come into their program and play for them."
"Also I would like to thank my teammates for getting me better everyday and always putting a smile on my face," George wrote. "With that all being said I would like to announce that I'll be continuing my education and football career at the University of Tennessee #GoVols"
The position switches by Byrd and Fils-aime have not been deemed permanent, but they have added some offseason intrigue to the competition for playing time that George will join this fall.
First-year Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt has spent time this spring working with the secondary in drills.
"Tyler and Carlin, they're learning what's going on," Pruitt said. "Neither one of them played a lot of defense in high school, so the position is completely new, which is OK. I think, just being around them, they're both good competitors and have good toughness."
Byrd began spring practices at cornerback but worked with safeties on Saturday, with Pruitt noting that position could allow Byrd to "use his natural catching ability."
"Lots of times when you take offensive players and move them to the defensive side, especially when it's a guy that's been a wide receiver, he's used to looking at the quarterback," Pruitt said. "Well, if you're a big man-to-man team like we are and you're playing corner, you can't guard your man and look at the quarterback. Tyler has really good ball skills, he has toughness to him."
The remaining 12 spring practices could yield more position changes or solidify the ones that have been made.
"The thing about defensive back is it's a learned behavior," Pruitt said. "So they've got to learn movements and skill sets."
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.