Tennessee football will have five signees competing in the Under Armour All-American Game on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The game will air on ESPN at 3 p.m. ET.
Ironically enough, the UA All-American Game is played at Camping World Stadium — where the Vols just capped off the 2023-24 season with a Citrus Bowl victory. The Vols’ participants include Jordan Ross, Mike Matthews, Peyton Lewis, Kaleb Beasley and Edrees Farooq.
The game has featured players like Julio Jones and Leonard Fournette. Myles Garrett and Jameis Winston, who both went on to be No. 1 overall picks, also played in the UA All America game. Just the top 1% of high school players who get to compete in the game.
Here’s a quick overview of Tennessee’s players in the UA All-American Game.
EDGE Jordan Ross
One of the highest-ranked prospects in Tennessee’s 2024 class signed with the Vols on Early Signing day. Five-star Jordan Ross ranks as the No. 33 prospect overall and the No. 3 EDGE in the 2024 class by 247Sports Composite.
Ross, out of Vestavia Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, mainly played as a standup linebacker in high school. The 6-foot-4.5 and 233-pound pass rusher will likely have to add size before seeing extended playing time.
WR Mike Matthews
One of the Vols’ top 2024 prospects, wide receiver Mike Matthews could have a very early impact for Tennessee. The five-star prospect ranks as the No. 20 overall prospect and the No. 5 reciever in the 2024 class by 247Sports Composite.
Out of Parkview High School in Georgia, Matthews highlights Tennessee’s 2024 class. He went for 751 yards on 39 passes with nine touchdowns this season. He was named Georgia Region 4-AAAAAA Offensive Player of the Year.
RB Peyton Lewis
Speedy four-star running back Peyton Lewis is the lone running back in the 2024 class. He ranks as the No. 159 prospect nationally and the No. 14 running back in the 2024 class by 247Sports Composite.
Lewis ran for 373 yards on 30 carries with four touchdowns in a Virginia state playoff game. He played at Salem High School, being utilized out of the backfield as a running back and in the passing game. With Jaylen Wright leaving and possibly Jabari Small, Lewis become an even bigger get in the 2024 cycle.
DB Kaleb Beasley
Four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley was apart of Josh Heupel’s efforts to keep in-state prospects home. Beasley joins his fellow Lipscomb Academy teammate Edwin Spillman at Tennessee. Beasley ranks as the No. 154 prospect overall and the No. 16 cornerback in the 2024 class by 247Sports Composite.
The 6-foot, 185-pound could also flex to safety for the Vols based on his play at Lipscomb Academy. A natural athlete, Beasley averaged 19 points on the basketball court and racked up 30 tackles and nine interceptions his junior year.
DB Edrees Farooq
Edrees Farooq, from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, adds more depth to the secondary. Farooq ranks as the No. 567 prospect overall and the No. 58 safety in his class.
Farooq played several different roles for St. Frances Academy. He could step up into the box at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds to make an impact. He also was able to play in coverage at the safety position, or play man coverage on a slot receiver.
Tennessee’s full 2024 class
Five-star EDGE Jordan Ross
Five-star WR Mike Matthews (Enrolled)
Four-star WR Braylon Staley (Enrolled)
Four-star OT Bennett Warren
Four-star DB Boo Carter (Enrolled)
Four-star CB Kaleb Beasley
Four-star RB Peyton Lewis
Four-star QB Jake Merklinger (Enrolled)
Four-star OT Max Anderson (Enrolled)
Four-star LB Edwin Spillman
Four-star OL William Satterwhite (Enrolled)
Three-star DL Kellen Lindstrom
Three-star LB Jordan Burns
Three-star ATH Marcus Goree Jr. (Enrolled)
Three-star TE Cole Harrison
Three-star OT Jesse Perry (Enrolled)
Three-star DB Edrees Farooq (Enrolled)
Three-star DL Jeremias Heard
Three-star OL Gage Ginther (Enrolled)
Three-star DL Carson Gentle
Three-star JUCO DL Jamal Wallace
