While Josh Heupel has become noted for building one of the top offenses in the country, the University of Tennessee football coach and his staff recruited Marcus Goree Jr. to be a part of a dynamic future defense led by in-state products.
The Bradley Central senior safety is one of six in-state class of 2024 prospects committed to the Volunteers, who are currently No. 7 in the On3.com national recruiting rankings.
Five of those six are known for making big plays on defense, including Lipscomb Academy’s Kaleb Beasley and Edwin Spillman, McCallie’s Carson Gentle and Bradley Central’s Goree as well as Boo Carter — who is likely to play offense in college but has also been a game-changer on defense.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Goree comes in at No. 4 on the Times Free Press Dynamite Baker’s Dozen list of the area’s top 13 football players after recording 54 tackles (12 for loss), 11 pass breakups, two interceptions (one for a 70-yard score) and a sack in his junior season. He has 130 stops and seven interceptions in three seasons with the Bears.
“What stands out the most about Marcus are his instincts,” Bradley Central coach Damon Floyd said. “He just has a knack for making plays and always being around the ball. He’s fast and long and is a real student of the game.