ATLANTA - Tennessee picked up the 14th commitment of its 2019 football recruiting class Monday when an in-state defensive tackle pledged to the Volunteers.
Elijah Simmons, a three-star prospect from Nashville's Pearl-Cohn High School, announced his commitment to Tennessee over Memphis and Missouri, among others. Simmons is the second in-state high school senior to commit to the Vols in this recruiting class and fourth with ties to the state.
In a video announcing his commitment, Simmons thanked God, his parents and his coaches.
"They created a monster," said Simmons, who at 6 feet and 350 pounds is the heaviest commitment in Tennessee's 2019 class to this point.
He is the fourth defensive line commitment in the recruiting class. His first opportunity to sign a national letter of intent will come in December. Tennessee's recruiting class held steady at ninth in the SEC after the commitment, according to 247Sports.com.
Thaxton charged
A Tennessee sophomore was charged Sunday night with domestic assault and false imprisonment.
Ryan Thaxton, a linebacker and defensive lineman from Alexandria, Virginia, was arrested by the university police department and booked into the Knox County Jail, according to a Sheriff's Office spokesperson. That person said Thaxton made a $1,500 bond and was released Monday morning.
A team spokesperson released a statement Monday on the matter.
"We are aware of the incident," the statement said. "The student-athlete has been suspended from all team activities while law enforcement and the university investigates."
Thaxton did not appear in any games as a true freshman in 2017. He was rated a three-star prospect coming out of high school.
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.