Tennessee just waltzed into Kentucky and landed who some consider to be the No. 1 athlete in the state.
Cristian Conyer, a fringe 4-star prospect out of Bowling Green, chose the Vols over his home state Kentucky Wildcats Sunday. Rivals is higher on Conyer than 247 Sports composite rankings, placing him as not only the No. 1 athlete in Kentucky, but the No. 15 ATH in the nation.
Regardless, it’s a huge pickup for Tennessee, which has been on a roll recently with commitments from Tyree Weathersby, Jeremiah Telander and John Slaughter.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Conyer is considered to be a best fit at cornerback, but shined at several positions across the gridiron at South Warren High School. The Wildcats and Vols have traded punches to land Conyer’s services, with UT edging its rival out in the end fresh off a June 24 official visit to Knoxville.
Were Conyer to stay where he is most comfortable in the secondary, he would represent Tennessee’s first true cornerback and fourth defensive back of the 2023 cycle. Jack Luttrell, Sylvester Smith and Slaughter are all considered a best fit at safety, per 247 Sports.
Tennessee likely isn’t done on the recruiting trail. The Vols have several targets with set commitment dates for the near future, including five-star offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, 2024 five-star edge rusher Jonathan Echols and the No. 1 JUCO prospect in the nation, wide receiver Malik Benson. Mauigoa and Echols both intend to commit on Independence Day, while Benson will decide between Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia among others on July 5.
