My decision....... pic.twitter.com/UraxLnUJYy
— Chris Akporoghene Jr. ???????????????? (@yomzking) July 9, 2018
KNOXVILLE - Tennessee continued adding muscle to its 2019 football recruiting Monday when an offensive lineman with ties to the state made a public commitment to play for the Volunteers.
Chris Akporoghene announced his commitment on Twitter, giving Tennessee its 13th pledge of the class and sixth from an offensive or defensive lineman.
Akporoghene, who is rated as a three-star prospect according to 247Sports.com and a four-star prospect according to Rivals.com, will play his high school senior season at IMG Academy in Florida after transferring from The King's Academy in Seymour, Tennessee.
Thank you God for the blessings upon my life....#VFL ???????????? pic.twitter.com/m1VuykRD3F
— Chris Akporoghene Jr. ???????????????? (@yomzking) July 9, 2018
At 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, Akporoghene is projected as an offensive tackle in college. He quickly became a standout on Tennessee's high school football scene the last two seasons after moving to the state from Nigeria.
He joins five-star offensive tackle prospect Wanya Morris of Loganville, Georgia, and four-star prospect Jackson Lampley of Nashville as the offensive linemen committed to the Vols' 2019 class.
The Vols also have three defensive linemen, two tight ends, two defensive backs, a quarterback, a receiver and a linebacker committed. The class was ranked ninth in the Southeastern Conference by 247Sports and Rivals on Monday evening after Akporoghene's commitment.
Verbal commitments are nonbinding, and Akporoghene's first opportunity to sign a national letter of intent will come in December.
"I'm driven, because football is not just a game for me," Akporoghene said in a video announcement of his commitment. "It's an avenue for me and my family. That's what pushes me. That's why I wake up every day wanting to be better than the day before. It's why I have been looking for a place to plant my flag, to find a place that I can call home."
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.
VOLS FOOTBALL 2019 COMMITMENTS
With position, hometown, previous school and recruiting ratings from 247Sports and Rivals:
Chris Akporoghene | OT | Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy) | 3-star (247Sports) | 4-star (Rivals)
Aaron Beasley | S/ATH | Franklin, Georgia (Heard County) | 3-star
Sean Brown | TE | Rome, Georgia (Coosa) | 3-star
Jalil Clemons | DE | Starkville, Mississippi (Starkville) | 3-star
LeDarrius Cox | DT | Mobile, Alabama (McGill-Toolen) | 3-star
Anthony Harris | S | Havelock, North Carolina (Havelock) | 4-star
Lakia Henry | LB| Vidalia, Georgia (Dodge City CC) | 4-star
Ramel Keyton | WR | Marietta, Georgia (Marietta) | 4-star
Jackson Lampley | OL | Nashville (MBA) | 4-star
Jackson Lowe | TE | Cartersville, Georgia (Cartersville) | 3-star
Brian Maurer | QB | Ocala, Florida (West Port) | 3-star
Darel Middleton | DL | Oak Ridge, Tennessee (East Mississippi CC) | 3-star
Wanya Morris | OL | Loganville, Georgia (Grayson) | 4-star (Rivals), 5-star (247)