KNOXVILLE – University of Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt had plenty to say about the players who signed with the program Wednesday.
About that other pressing issue? Nothing at all.
Tennessee announced the addition of 17 players Wednesday – the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period for football – with that group highlighted by five-star offensive lineman Wanya Morris. The class also featured 10 four-star prospects and six with three-star ratings from recruiting services, led by Jerrod Means, a wide receiver who was previously committed to North Carolina but visited Tennessee this past weekend before becoming a surprising signee.
He was the only uncommitted player who signed with the Volunteers on Wednesday. They also lost a player who was previously committed, with three-star defensive end Jalil Flowers signing with Memphis.
There was balance in the class, with nine offensive players and eight on defense, and all could provide immediate help after Tennessee’s offense averaged only 325.5 yards per game and the defense gave up averages of 27.9 points and 377.4 yards this season, Pruitt’s first with the program. The Vols do return all 11 starters on offense.