[2023] Tennessee Crooting Class Background

[tsweezy]

To distract from the nerves surrounding this year's playoff semifinal, some Vol staffers prepared some nice background info to introduce this year's class. As of now there are only 23 signees, with the staff forgoing any 1 or 2 stars in favor of seeing who shows up to their annual walk-on week in the spring.

 

OFFENSE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ QB Jake O'Connor, Excelsior, MN (Edina HS) - #12 OVERALL player, 3rd QB (2nd Pocket QB)

Tennessee has firmly established themselves as one of the premier QB destinations in the country as they signed Elite 11 MVP, Brandon Savage in 2021 followed by blue chip Mark Koch last season. The initial plan was to take a random 4-star flier, but when one member of the staff went to the Elite 11 Midwest camp at the start of the year they decided to make O'Connor a priority, seeing him as the next heir apparent to the offense. Many articles have been written about him (see below), The gist of it though, is that he's a bit cocky and arrogant, but has the arm talent to back it up. Threw the hell out of the ball at the Elite 11 finals and showed himself as an upper-tier 5-star signal-caller. Baylor made it a sweaty decision night as they'd plied his family with a TON of Mall of America coupons. He has loudly proclaimed that he's going to win the starting job and be a Heisman finalist as soon as Savage goes pro, and the staff is hoping that the upperclassmen can humble #JOCwatch a little bit before he hits the limelight.

 

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ RB David Forsberg, Trion, GA (Trion HS) - #92 OVERALL player, 11th RB (8th Receiving RB)

Despite their shiny air raid stats, Tennessee is traditionally a RB-led program (or at least balanced). The last 2 years Aldrick Ynoa put on a show and was a Heisman finalist before going pro and lighting it up with the Vikings as a rookie. Forsberg is actually the 4th blue chip RB this staff has signed, and all of them are receiving threats. Rumor is that when they got Forsberg on a visit, the Vol staff put him in front of a JUGS machine within the first hour to see if it was worth recruiting him further. Coming from the North Georgia mountains, UGA overlooked him a little bit, and after his 5 TD performance in the State quarterfinals, the Tennessee staff promised he was their only RB target in the class and he never seriously considered any other program.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WR B.J. Flash, Washington DC (St. John's HS) - #24 OVERALL player, 4th WR (2nd Speed WR)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WR Joseph Kleen, Reserve, LA (East St. John HS) - #23 OVERALL player, 3rd WR (1st Red Zone Threat WR)

If there's one position that makes you think "Tennessee" even more than QB, it's WR. They've had a WR drafted in the first round each of the last two years, and could maintain that for the next 2 with Matt Siri and Hayes Edwards. However, the future was looking a bit thin and the staff hit the trail HARD to find some new blood. These were some big time national battles that were a major emphasis for the program. 

Joseph Kleen's reputation as a "red zone wizard" was well-earned in high school. He had a knack for making spectacular catches when it mattered most, often in double or even triple coverage. During a crucial playoff game, he caught a game-winning touchdown pass while falling backward, securing his school's first state championship in decades. Tennessee's recruiters were captivated by Kleen's clutch performances and his ability to make the extraordinary seem routine. When he visited Knoxville, they surprised him with a mural outside Neyland Stadium depicting that unforgettable championship-winning catch.

Meanwhile, the aptly named Flash was a dual-sport athlete, making finals in the 100-meter dash at junior track nationals. Tennessee track coaches got in touch as well and they've worked out a plan for him to compete during spring track season.

Both recruitments were nail-biters as Flash had hats from Texas and San Jose State while Kleen was down to just Tennessee and Tulsa. Becoming friends during the recruiting process, the two recruits released a dual commitment video afterwards and are planning on being roommates.

⭐⭐⭐ TE David Spalding, Justin, TX (Northwest HS) - 65th TE

David Spalding's journey to Tennessee is a testament to hard work and determination. In high school, he was often overlooked by scouts due to playing in a smaller Texas town. However, Spalding's relentless work ethic and unmatched blocking skills caught the attention of college recruiters. During his recruitment process, he received hand-written letters from multiple schools praising his tenacity on the field. Tennessee's coaching staff was impressed by his grit and the way he handled himself both on and off the field. When Spalding visited Knoxville, he was greeted by a giant mural that depicted his journey from a small Texas town to a future Vols star. Spalding's blue-collar mentality and dedication to his craft make him a valuable addition to Tennessee's offense.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ OT David France, Macon, GA (Southwest HS) - #3 OVERALL player, 1st OT (1st Pass Blocking OT)

By the numbers, France is the most talented recruit in this class. Tennessee has been loading up on OL, signing EIGHT 4-stars in the past two classes. However, enough is never enough: David France, a towering presence hailing from the heart of Macon, Georgia, is the undisputed crown jewel of offensive line prospects. With a ranking that places him as the third-best player in the nation, it's no surprise that college recruiters were clamoring for his attention. In high school, France's journey to football stardom was marked by a relentless dedication to protecting his quarterback's blind side. During his senior year, he showcased his pass-blocking prowess by allowing zero sacks all season, a feat that had college scouts around the nation buzzing. France is a somewhat quiet character though, and it was tough to get in communication with him. Michigan made an early effort but fizzled out and Clemson and Tennessee were the only two programs that made the weekly drive down to see him. That ultimately paid off as France decided Knoxville was the place for him, confident that he'd have a chance to start early as 2 of Tennessee's starters graduate this year.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ OG Charles Le, Arlington, MD (Bishop O'Connell) - #31 OVERALL player, 3rd OG (2nd Pass Blocking OG)

The FIFTH 5-star signed on offense this class, Le was one of the most surprising signees. An academically-gifted student, Le won the district science fair in grade school and has a 4.0 GPA with a 1590 SAT score. An absolute monster on the football field as well, Le was looked at as a Unicorn who was successful at everything. He professed that he wanted to base his college choice on academics and finish his degree. If there was ever a slam-dunk fit for Stanford this seems it right? They recruited him hard, but shockingly Tennessee won out. It turns out that Le has always had a fascination with nuclear engineering and the staff pulled some connections at Oak Ridge national laboratories, getting Le an interview and a provisional internship as soon as he enrolls. That turned out to be enough to score the surprise commitment. 

⭐⭐⭐ C David Ventura, Brandon, SD (Brandon Valley HS) - 35th C

Ventura's recruitment was actually part of an internal bet. Sweezy started a betting pool with his staffers involving a $100k bonus for whoever could find and sign a starting-caliber player from the most surprising location. The OL coach won as one of his poker buddies from his college days sent him workout tape of Ventura. While Ventura didn't have the highest ranking, and has barely any football experience, he is strong as an ox and has A potential. Frankly, he has potential to be a future starter at C for this program following the line of Prater - Matthews - Morrow

 

DEFENSE

⭐⭐⭐ DT Heriberto Alegria, Oakdale, CA (Oakdale HS) - 75th DT

⭐⭐⭐ DT Douglas Laycock, Nederland, TX (Nederland HS) - 65th DT

The two best names in the class, they may not have as much star power as the last couple of DT classes, but without the expectation that they start any time soon, they're going to be important glue guys and future senior leaders.
Heriberto Alegria, a diamond in the rough from the sunny fields of Oakdale, California, brings a relentless work ethic to the gridiron. In high school, he made his presence felt as a defensive powerhouse, earning a reputation for never giving up on a play. Alegria's defining moment came during a pivotal playoff game when he made a game-saving tackle on the goal line, securing a historic win for his team. Tennessee's recruiters were captivated by Alegria's unwavering determination and his ability to come up clutch when it mattered most. During his visit to Knoxville, they surprised him with a video montage of his game-saving tackles, projected on the massive Neyland Stadium screen. Alegria's journey to prominence is a testament to hard work and heart.

Doug Laycock on the other hand, has an absurd motor, perhaps from years of fellow classmates snickering at his name. Nobody really wants to make jokes now at this mountain of a man who dominates the interior of the line. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ DE Armando Medina, Coral Springs, FL (Taravella HS) - #160 OVERALL player, 7th DE (4th Speed Rusher)

One of 3 top-200 defensive signees, Armando is a twitchy, athletic freak from south Florida who desperately wanted to get away from Miami (who can blame him). DE wasn't a high priority for the Vols after a couple of good classes, but Armando actually reached out to the staff and they weren't about to turn down a top-10 positional player who fell into their lap without a fight. He joins an absolutely fearsome rotation with Dimmadome, London, and Carnahan the last 2 years. Tennessee has historically not blitzed very often and doesn't record many sacks, but the hope is they can start generating pressure by just straight up winning their one-on-ones.

⭐⭐⭐ DE Houston Wood, Modesto, CA (Downey HS) 

A late addition mostly intended to fill out numbers at his position, Wood is one of the less heralded recruits. However, he is insanely charismatic (class president at his school) and has his whole town as fans rooting for him to make it big. That high quality character gave him the edge when looking for depth additions. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ OLB Tee Sweezy, Knoxville, TN (Fulton HS) - #32 OVERALL player, 2nd OLB 

A huge stroke of good fortune for the program. Coach Sweezy's nephew from in-town turned out to be one of the best LB prospects in the country. Thankfully they're a close-knit family and he has been a not-so silent commit to Tennessee for the last 2 years. The lynchpin of the defensive class, Sweezy walks into an extremely weak OLB room. Link is graduating and the only 2 worthwhile players on roster are a pair of B- sophomores so Sweezy may well be a straight up upgrade from day 1. Cannot overstate how important he is to this team.

⭐⭐⭐ OLB Daniel Folks, Clearwater, FL (Clearwater Central Catholic HS) - 60th OLB

⭐⭐⭐ OLB Kenneth Nestle, Westerville, OH (Westerville Central HS) - 54th OLB

While Sweezy gets the press for being the OLB savior, the Vols picked up a pair of 3-stars who they expect to develop into good depth pieces and rotational players in the future. Nestle picked Tennessee over a slew of regional G5 schools as he was drawn to large crowds. Folks picked between Tennessee and Nebraska and was similarly drawn towards the frontrunner / large crowds of Tennessee, showing how their national presence is paying dividends on the crooting trail.

⭐⭐⭐ ILB Joseph Cochran, Newark, OH (Licking Valley HS) - 52nd ILB 

At ILB the Vols found a little bit less success by rankings, but Cochran is a deceptively speedy lunch-pail guy who they swiped late from West Virginia's clutches. Joseph Cochran, the heart and soul of Newark, Ohio's Licking Valley High School defense, brings a level of intensity and determination that defines a true linebacker. In high school, Cochran made his presence felt with bone-crushing tackles and a penchant for reading offenses like a book. His ability to diagnose plays before they unfolded often left opponents scratching their heads. That cerebral play should serve him well in the future for sure.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ CB Wendell Gallagher, Fayetteville, NC (Village Christian Academy) - #74 OVERALL player, 7th CB (3rd Zone Coverage)

Looking around the country at how many dominant air raid attacks there are, having good corners is of utmost importance. Of course having a consistent scheme (zone) is also important and combining the two means a lot of programs are competing for a relatively small number of blue chip zone corners. Tennessee identified Gallagher early as their primary target as he wanted to stay in the region. Vols fans were sweating as local UNC also pursued him heavily but Gallaghers services were secured after the UNC coaching staff dropped the ball on offering him a scholarship, making him go back for camps and being unclear on his status. There were a series of ill-advised (now deleted) tweets from Wendell incensed about his treatment there, and he has a fire in him to prove that he's a top corner in the nation.

⭐⭐⭐ CB Robert Carranza, Houston, TX (King HS)  - 87th CB

Carranza in contrast was more of a plan C after the staff lost out on a few other commitments. Luckily Carranza was a late bloomer from houston who was only scouted early by TTU. He has sky-high potential but was a victim of transfer rules holding him off the field last season. This year though he led the districts in INTs and allowed only 1.3 catches per game to his side of the field. The goal for him is to sit for a bit and develop and then roll out to lock down opponents WR3.

⭐⭐⭐ FS Jose Hernandez, Fort Meyers, FL (Dunbar HS)  - 80th FS

Not a high priority for Tennessee after signing future star Eric Tate last year, but their philosophy has been to sign a FS every year and they got Jose this season. Not a ton to say about this relatively quiet recruitment as Jose is a bit o an eclectic kid. An amateur astronomer, Hernandez was also one of the best long jumpers in the state as Tennessee aims for another athletically gifted prospect. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ SS Kevin Wells, Idabel, OK (Idabel HS) - 14th SS (4th Man Coverage)

Another surprise win, Wells had initially set his sights on staying in-state and playing for Tulsa. Unfortunately for him, Tulsa had their sights set elsewhere and didn't look for a top SS this cycle. Tennessee actually discovered him while scouting WR Seung Willis (who did end up at Tulsa coincidentally). While watching their game, Wells was nigh unbeatable in coverage and helped hold Metro Christian to under 150 passing yards. Talking to him after the game, Wells said he was looking to stay in-state but was open to hearing more about Knoxville. They got him on campus for an official visit, convinced him he had a shot at getting rotational minutes and then being the clear starter after '21 signee Brandon Duffey graduates.  On National Signing Day, Wells decided to put his prankster skills to use. As the entire nation tuned in, he stepped up to the podium wearing a flashy, oversized Tennessee hat that looked like it could swallow his head. The room was already in stitches, but then he did the unexpected. With a mischievous glint in his eye, Wells dramatically unveiled a puppet of himself wearing an Oklahoma State cap, making it seem like the puppet was about to make the announcement. The room erupted in laughter as the puppet "chose" Oklahoma State. The coaching staff at both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State looked on in disbelief, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.But just when it seemed like the prank had reached its peak, Wells pulled off the grand finale. He removed the puppet, revealing the real Kevin Wells, who put on a pair of oversized comedy glasses and comically fumbled around before finally declaring his allegiance to the Volunteers. The room exploded in laughter and applause.

 

SPECIALISTS

Tennessee actually signed both a K and P in the '21 class but are on an every other year cycle so went fishing again this cycle. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ K Bruce Knight, Citra, FL (North Marion HS) - #242 OVERALL player, #1 K

Considering how much offensive power the Vols have, getting a star kicker should ensure that almost every drive ends with at least 3 points. Bruce was an absolute stud on the camp circuit, taking MVK honors at every event he attended and was one of 3 juniors to get an invite to the Under Armour all-america game last year. In addition to his college-ready leg, he also is one of only 7 blue chip prospects to get an A+ potential grade. He had always intended to leave the state and wound up deciding between the 2022 highest scoring team (WMU) and 2023's (Tennessee). Ultimately he picked the Vols where he will redshirt and then start for the rest of his college career.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ P Amir Stevens, Franklin, TN (Battle Ground Academy) - #4 P

At punter, Marcus Jackson is a true sophomore starter, meaning whoever they get on campus from this cycle would start as a RS SO and have 3 years to start. Amir was an easy choice as an in-state top-5 punter in the nation. He never really entertained any other schools and was an early signee. Luckily he doesn't love punting, as Tennessee has had the fewest punts in the nation this season and plan to keep it that way in the future.

 

A look back at those who were led astray

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ WR George Pfeiffer - committed to Sam Houston State (fans claim disciplinary issues, they're just coping)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ CB Maximiliano Wengerd - committed to Oregon (personality clash with Wendell Gallagher, Tennessee couldn't sign them both)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ OG Ulysses Flores - committed to Minnesota (Midwestern boy at heart, didn't vibe with Knoxville)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ILB James Oneil - committed to Ohio over BGSU and Tenn (Demanded to be handed a starting job. The Ohio coaching staff did a marvelous job negative recruiting other schools this year)