One of the reasons Tennessee football has a loaded defensive backs class for 2023 is the commitment of Cristian Conyer out of Kentucky. Here are five things to know about the Vols’ summer pickup.
Where Conyer ranks
Conyer measures out at 6-foot-1.5 and 170-pounds.
247Sports ranks Conyer as a three-star prospect, the No. 73 cornerback in the class of 2023, and the No. 3 prospect from Kentucky.
ON3 ranks Conyer as a three-star prospect, the No. 54 cornerback, and the No. 3 prospect from Kentucky.
Rivals holds Conyer as a four-star prospect, the No. 39 cornerback, and the No. 1 prospect from Kentucky.
Tennessee football over who?
Many thought Conyer would stay in-state and commit to Kentucky, but he decided otherwise. Conyer verbally committed to Tennessee in July.
Conyer took an official visit to Knoxville in June that sealed the deal for the cornerback.
Conyer chose Tennessee football over Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin, and Louisville, among others.
Why Tennessee football?
Recruiting is about relationships, and head coach Josh Heupel has become great at forming relationships with prospects.
Conyer’s relationship with Heupel and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez pushed Tennessee over the edge.
“Definitely Coach Heup (Josh Heupel) and Coach Nez (Willie Martinez). I talk to them on a daily basis,” Conyer told Rivals. “Every morning they text me ‘good morning’ and I text them and we chop it up, and I usually call them later in the day. I really feel like they’ve been my coaches already.”
The numbers
Conyer hails from Bowling Green, Ky., and attends South Warren High School. The defensive back’s team ended its season 6-6 with a Nov. 11 loss in the Kentucky 5A playoffs.
Conyer finished the year with 12 tackles and one interception. He also had 26 catches for 292 yards and three touchdowns on the offensive side. He rushed for 66 yards on 11 carries as well.
Giving back to the community
Conyer has made sure to use his influence to give back to his community.
He spent his Thanksgiving handing out 300 turkeys to those who otherwise wouldn’t have had a Thanksgiving.
It is good to see a prospect care for his community, and he can definitely utilize that skill for Tennessee football in Knoxville.
