KNOXVILLE - Tennessee continued its football recruiting momentum in Memphis on Tuesday, picking up a commitment from three-star all-purpose back Jabari Small of Briarcrest Christian.
Small becomes the second Briarcrest player to commit to the Volunteers in as many days, as four-star defensive tackle Omari Thomas gave a nonbinding pledge to the program Monday. The Vols also received commitments from Memphis Whitehaven linebackers Martavius French, Bryson Eason and Tamarion McDonald on Oct. 22.
Small had previously committed to Ole Miss but backed out of that pledge recently. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder is rated as the 11th-best all-purpose back in the country and 20th-ranked player in the state of Tennessee. He also had scholarship offers from 19 other schools, including multiple Southeastern Conference programs.
As a senior, Small rushed for 1,538 yards and 25 touchdowns, also totaling a pair of touchdowns receiving and one on a punt return. He had 342 receiving yards this season and 142 on six punt returns.
He rushed for 100 yards in nine of Briarcrest's 11 games, with a season-high 220 against Manassas on seven carries and 206 on 12 attempts against Wooddale.
Small is the Vols' 18th known commitment for the 2020 recruiting cycle. They lost a pledge Monday when four-star junior college defensive back Art Green backed out of his commitment and another Tuesday when three-star defensive end Jimari Butler announced he was re-opening his recruitment.
The early signing period begins on Dec. 18.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.