Vols T logoKNOXVILLE – Tennessee picked up a commitment from one of its top remaining 2016 football targets Thursday.
Marquez Callaway, a four-star wide receiver out of Warner Robins High School in Georgia, announced his pledge to the Volunteers on his Twitter account.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder took an official visit to Tennessee last weekend. His other finalists were Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Notre Dame and Georgia.
He was scheduled to take visits to the Mississippi schools the next two weekends but decided Thursday to commit to the Vols.
“I would like to thank everyone in my recruiting process for being there supporting me and my family through this decision,” Callaway wrote on Twitter.
“Thank all the coaches that took time to build a relationship with me and recruit me as a student-athlete. It’s been a great experience to play for WRHS and also a better experience to be a part of the recruiting process. With that being said I (have) decided to attend the University of Tennessee to further my education and further my football career.
“It was a (tough) decision but I think I made the right decision.”
Rivals.com ranks Callaway as the nation’s No. 3 athlete and No. 95 player overall, and he’s the No. 131 overall player according to 247Sports.
Callaway is the fourth wide receiver in Tennessee’s 2016 class, joining early enrollee Jeff George and commitments Corey Henderson and Brandon Johnson.
The 6-6 George is the big target of the group, and Henderson and Callaway are slot-type receivers who should bring much needed speed to Tennessee’s receiving corps.
The Vols are losing three receivers and return just six scholarship wideouts from last season’s team. Von Pearson and Johnathon Johnson were seniors, and Marquez North is headed into NFL draft consideration. Jason Croom is moving to tight end, too.
Tennessee returns just four receivers who caught passes in 2015: Josh Malone, Josh Smith, Preston Williams and Jauan Jennings. Vincent Perry will return from his knee injury. Cody Blanc has one career catch in 26 appearances over four years.
The incoming quartet should have the chance to carve out immediate playing time.
Receiver was a position of need for Tennessee in 2016, and the Vols could add one more if the numbers work out with only a couple of spots left in the class.
Mykel Jones (Patterson, La.), Ahmmon Richards (Wellington, Fla.) and Miami commitment Latrell Williams (Lake City, Fla.) are potential visitors later this month, and the Vols remain in the mix for Southern California commitment Velus Jones (Saraland, Ala.).
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com