SEC Recruiting Grades After National Signing Day: Alabama, Tennessee on Top

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Nov 22, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones talks with the media following the game against the Missouri Tigers at Neyland Stadium. Missouri won 29-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports


2. Tennessee Volunteers

Rivals Class Rank: No. 5

Tennessee football is back. And it appears to be back for good.

During the 1990s, Phillip Fulmer did his part to have the best recruiting class coming to Tennessee every year. He still recruited well in the 2000s, but since the Rivals era has started in 2002, this marks the first time the Vols have put together back to back Top 5 recruiting classes. And all of the other Top 5 classes were busts anyway.

Butch Jones already has nearly his entire team returning and finally has a quarterback after coaching arguably the youngest team in college football last year. Add this class, and you have a mix of lots more depth along with more talent and guys who could help right away if needed. This all is added to the increased experience that will be on the team this year.

The prize of the group is 5-star defensive tackle and 340 pounder Kahlil McKenzie, but 5-star offensive lineman Drew Richmond is not far behind. Both go into lines that have almost everybody returning, and they add serious depth to it but could be in the rotation immediately. That also holds true for 5-star defensive end Kyle Phillips, and 5-star running back Alvin Kamara is another superstar to play alongside Jalen Hurd.

Jones is also already thinking long-term after Joshua Dobbs is gone by bringing in 4-star quarterbacks Jauan Jennings, Quinten Dormady, and Sheriron Jones, and there are five more players on the front seven coming in that are 4-stars and three 4-star offensive linemen. The Vols were already loaded at the skill positions, so to get the physical guys was huge for depth purposes.

The roster at Tennessee is finally full and complete. The job is done. And now, it is time to start winning big, which is what Vol fans have been waiting for.

Grade: A+

Next: No. 1 Ranked SEC Recruiting Class