It’s hard to imagine a better end to the week for Tennessee football recruiting as the Vols were forced to overcome a pretty big bump in the road on July 4.
Despite fireworks and festivities, there were countless fans monitoring the internet on Independence Day to see which school that five-star offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa would commit to on Monday. For Tennessee fans, Mauigoa’s announcement to commit to Miami was about as exciting as a wet bottle rocket.
There was a feeling that the Vols were very much in the hunt for Mauigoa – and they probably were. However, it now seems that the prospect from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., was headed to South Florida all along – or at least made a firm decision last week that would exclude the Vols
That was evident by his tweet to edge rusher Samuel M’Pemba, who announced he was down to Tennessee, Oregon, Florida, Miami, Alabama, Georgia and Notre Dame. Mauigoa has gone from prospect to recruiter quickly.
With Mauigoa in the recruiting rearview mirror, the Vols didn’t waste anytime continuing to build their class this week, which was capped by four-star offensive tackle Shamurad Umarov’s public pledge to Tennessee on Friday. No disrespect to any other of Tennessee commitments this week, but Umarov was different.
Umarov was heavily recruited by all schools, but especially by Georgia. That means the Vols beat out a key rival to land the 6-foot-6, 337-pound prospect from Denmark High School in Alpharetta, Ga.
After securing commitments from a trio of three stars last week, Umarov could be a breakthrough player for the Vols’ 2023 class. Umarov can create even more momentum for a recruiting class that is rumbling down the recruiting tracks.
The Vols could be on the verge of a pair of other commitments. Linebacker Jalen Smith from Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., is set to announce his decision on Sunday. The 6-foot, 213-pound, three-star prospect has been considering the Vols, Pittsburgh, Texas and Virginia, but it feels like he’ll end up at Tennessee.
Smith isn’t the only Tennessee prospect close to a decision. The Vols will also try to land offensive tackle Lucas Simmons on Monday:
Simmons, a 6-7, 300-pound offensive line prospect from Clearwater Academy (Fla.) International, is considered a four-star prospect and is ranked the No. 109 overall prospect in the nation, the No. 13 offensive tackle in the country and the 24th best prospect in Florida.
Mauigoa or not, the Vols have a strong base of offensive linemen either committed or considering the Vols for the 2023 class. That should make future quarterback Nico Iamaleava very happy.
One Response
Recruit, recruite, recruite this ius the name of the game. Just 0ne up the competition!