On3 shook up its recruiting rankings on Tuesday, and Tennessee football had some players rise. The Vols now have three signees among the top 50, tying them for third in the SEC.
The crown jewel of Tennessee’s 2023 class, Nico Iamaleava, took the No. 1 overall spot. He surpassed Arch Manning, who was No. 1 for most of the year.
Daevin Hobbs, a defensive lineman in Tennessee’s 2023 class, rose to No. 29 in the rankings. Nathan Leacock, a wide receiver in the class, rose to No. 45.
The new rankings give Tennessee football three players in the top 50. Looking around the SEC, the Crimson Tide lead in most recruiting rankings. In On3’s updated rankings, Alabama had three players alone in the top 10.
The Crimson Tide hauled in a total of eight players in On3’s top 50, the most among SEC schools. Alabama is bringing the No. 2 prospect Keon Keeley, the No. 8 prospect Caleb Downs, the No. 10 prospect James Smith, the No. 17 prospect Yhonzae Pierre, the No. 27 prospect Kadyn Proctor, the No. 33 prospect Qua Russaw, the No. 39 prospect Justice Haynes, and the No. 43 prospect Desmond Ricks.
To no surprise, the Vols’ rival from Tuscaloosa sits atop most recruiting rankings with their 2023 class. The reigning national champion in Georgia sits second.
In On3’s new rankings, Georgia has four prospects in the top 50. The Bulldogs are also in the running for a fifth. Georgia picked up the No. 7 Monroe Freeling, the No. 13 prospect Jordan Hall, the No. 18 prospect Raylen Wilson, and the No. 22 prospect Damon Wilson. They’re also in the running for the No. 23 prospect Duce Robinson.
Both teams that stand in the way of the Vols’ SEC championship goals recruited more top 50 prospects, according to On3.
Texas A&M brought in three top 50 prospects with the No. 16 prospect David Hicks, the No. 34 prospect Reuben Owens, and the No. 35 prospect Chase Bisontis. The Aggies travel to Knoxville during the 2023 season.
Billy Napier and the Florida Gators bring home two top 50 prospects in Eugene Wilson III and the No. 40 prospect Ja’Keem Jackson.
LSU and second-year head coach Brian Kelly also picked up two top 50 prospects with No. 11 Zalance Heard and No. 12 Dashawn Womack.
Ole Miss picked up just one top-50 prospect with No. 21 Suntarine Perkins.
All in all, the Vols have positioned themselves among the top schools in the SEC for recruiting. Unfortunately for them, the distance between Tennessee football and the top is still a very wide margin.
