An offensive lineman in the SEC can win or lose a game. Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel has made it clear that both offensive linemen and defensive linemen are important.
Another offensive tackle on Tennessee’s radar is Brandon Baker. Baker ranks as a four-star prospect out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif.
Baker was extended a scholarship offer from Tennessee on March 1, 2022. Since then, over 30 schools have extended him an offer.
Colorado and Deon Sanders have also entered the Baker sweepstakes. Sanders made it clear that Colorado is not a rebuild, but a place that is capable of winning games now.
“He’s not trying to rebuild either, he wants to win right now,” Baker told 247Sports. “He’s not recruiting that many guys, he’s only going after the guys he thinks he can win with now, guys who can play right away so it’s pretty exciting to see what he can do there.”
Colorado has been going after several Tennessee football targets, including in-state Boo Carter.
It seems the west coast schools are high on Baker’s list. He has visited Southern California and Oregon several times. He also took trips to Georgia and Penn State.
Baker ranks as the No. 56 prospect nationally. At 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, Baker ranks as the No. 4 offensive tackle.
He fits the mold of offensive lineman Heupel likes for his offense. The athletic prospect has gotten snaps at both right tackle and left guard despite being listed as an offensive tackle.
Greg Biggins of 247Sports sees Baker as a future first-rounder.
“Baker has elevated his game this year and has established himself as one of the top tackles in the ’24 class,” Biggins writes “He played both guard and tackle as a sophomore but has transitioned to full time tackle as a junior. He can play on the right or left side but has all the traits to play on the left side. He has the kind of length colleges love and he has improved athletically over the last year. He’s a very adept pass protector and becoming more physical in the run game. As he continues to fill out and gain strength, he should take his game to another level and he’s definitely trending in the right direction and has an NFL upside to him for sure.”
