As Early Signing Day approaches on Wednesday, Tennessee football’s 2024 recruiting class is ranked the No. 12 class in the nation. Out of the 20 prospects in the class, six come from Tennessee and four from Georgia.
Not from either Tennessee or Georgia is three-star offensive lineman Gage Ginther. Here are five things to know about the offensive lineman.
Chose Tennessee over Deion Sanders
Ginther was trending toward Sanders and Colorado for much of his early recruitment. He is from just about an hour away from Boulder in Fort Collins, Colorado.
He visited Tennessee in April and changed his mind, committing to Tennessee on April 8, 2023.
No one expected Colorado and Tennessee to face off head-to-head on the recruiting trail as much as they have, but consider Ginther’s recruitment a win for the Vols.
The numbers
247Sports and On3 hold Ginther as a three-star prospect while Rivals puts him as a four-star.
247Sports puts Ginther as the No. 1 player from Colorado and the No. 63 interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class.
On3 puts Ginther as the No. 2 player from Colorado and the No. 52 offensive tackle in the class.
Rivals ranks Ginther as the No. 2 player from Colorado and the No. 36 offensive tackle in the class.
Can’t teach size
Ginther stands at 6-foot-5.5 and 287 pounds. He is likely closer to 6-foot-7. Despite his size, the lineman still moves well.
Ginther was a wrestler before playing football. He also ran track and threw discus and shot put. His athleticism also helped him pick up 44 pancakes his junior year — earning him Colorado 5A All-State Honorable Mention honors.
Ginther earned 5A First Team All-State honors following his senior season. He will likely play tackle for the Vols.
Fossil Ridge’s rich history
Ginther is out of Fossil Ridge High School in Collins, Colorado. Former Fossil Ridge offensive lineman Trey Zuhn was a four-star prospect and has found personal success at Texas A&M. Zuhn started all 12 games at left tackle for the Aggies.
Nine of the Fort Collins’ area’s top 11 rated recruits have been offensive linemen, according to The Coloradoan. Ginther becomes the first top-rated Colorado prospect out of Fossil Ridge.
Getting an early start
Ginther is likely a redshirt candidate for Tennessee in his first year, thanks to the wealth of returning offensive linemen. He is getting his development started early.
The lineman was last on campus in November, but he is expected to join the Vols for bowl practices following his high school graduation. The extra time on campus, especially for an offensive lineman, is time that is important for jumpstarting his future.
