Tennessee Recruiting: 4-star safety Maleik Gray commits to Vols

The Tennessee recruiting class added four-star prospect defensive back Maleik Gray as Butch Jones and his staff continue to find success on the recruiting trail.

Tennessee was busy building for the future on Sunday as 2017 four-star safety Maleik Gray (LaVergne. LaVergne, TN.) committed to the program. He made the announcement on Twitter earlier in the day.

Gray is the No. 57 overall player in the class of 2017, No. 5 safety, and the No. 4 player in the state of Tennessee per the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Amassing 23 offers in total, he was a prospect that many programs held in high regard. He was recruited to the Vols by linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez.

The program was very active in his recruitment, particularly within the past year. He took unofficial visits to the campus in August and September of last year, as well as attending the Vols’ Junior Day back in March. He took an unofficial visit to Knoxville in April and announced his Top Three shortly thereafter on May 7. Sunday, his recruitment came full circle, as he is officially in the fold.

With this commitment, Tennessee has 10 total commitments in a talented class of 2017. Gray joins defensive tackle Eric Crosby (Ocean Lakes. Virginia Beach, VA) and KD Nixon (Desoto. Desoto, TX) as the trio of recruits who boast the four-star distinction. The class ranks No. 22 nationally and No. 7 in the SEC per the 247Sports Team Rankings.

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Gray is a solid tackler who is not afraid to come up and make the big hit. He will fit well in the defensive-minded and physical SEC and has the potential to serve as a catalyst for the Tennessee defense.