TENNESSEE TARGETS
Here’s a look at the prospects Tennessee could land to finish out its 2016 class:NIGEL WARRIOR› Top competition: Auburn› Announcement time: 8 a.m.› Final forecast: The Vols are the favorites to land the four-star defensive back, who is the son of former Tennessee defensive back Dale Carter. Warrior took official visits to LSU, Alabama and Auburn in January before finishing up his SEC tour in Knoxville.JONATHAN KONGBO› Top competition: Ole Miss, Florida State and Southern California› Announcement time: 10 a.m.› Final forecast: Where the junior college defensive end winds up is a coin flip, as all four finalists feel good about their chances. Kongbo, who originally committed to the Vols, spoke with Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett on Monday, a good sign for the Vols. If they can outlast a late push from Ole Miss, they should land the talented pass-rusher.DERRICK BROWN› Top competition: Auburn› Announcement time: 3 p.m.› Final forecast: The five-star defensive tackle took his final official visit to Knoxville last weekend, but did the Vols do enough to overcome Auburn? Tennessee’s track record in head-to-head recruiting battles with the Tigers is poor, particularly with defensive linemen. Do Gabe Wright, Davonte Lambert and Michael Goggans ring a bell? Brown is Tennessee’s only hope for a high school defensive lineman in this class.LANDON DICKERSON› Top competition: Florida State and Alabama› Announcement time: Noon› Final forecast: The touted offensive lineman from North Carolina was in Knoxville this past weekend, but it’s unlikely he’ll wind up at Tennessee. The Vols have only three or four spots remaining, and some other prospects are higher on the board. Should the Vols miss on any of their top targets, including Dickerson, wide receiver Latrell Williams and running back Zack Moss are potential options.LATRELL WILLIAMS› Top competition: Miami› Announcement time: TBA› Final forecast: Tennessee hosted the speedy wide receiver from Florida during the penultimate weekend of official visits and made an impression on the Miami commitment. The chances Williams winds up signing with Tennessee depend on whether the Vols have or can make room for him if he wants to join the class.
KNOXVILLE – For most of this recruiting cycle, Tennessee’s best football season in eight years hadn’t produced continued momentum.
The Volunteers may be on the verge of changing that.
Tennessee’s quest for a strong finish to its 2016 recruiting class got off to a good start Tuesday night when four-star athlete Tyler Byrd flipped his commitment from Miami to the Vols on the eve of national signing day.
Whether he winds up playing cornerback or wide receiver, Byrd has the kind of playmaking ability that will make him one of the best additions in Tennessee’s class.