Legacy kids aren’t always successes with Tennessee football. However, those who have achieved high recruiting rankings on their own and hail from the Knox County area almost always play to a level with the Vols much higher than anybody anticipated them to reach.
Such will be the case with J.P. Peace.
The 2027 linebacker, son of former Vol Robert Peace, who played linebacker for UT from 2000 to 2003, and grandson of Phillip Fulmer, announced his commitment to Tennessee football on Monday. A product of Knoxville West High School, Peace is not yet rated on 247Sports and ESPN, but ON3 and Rivals have him as a three-star.
Such a low rating is nothing to worry about for the Vols right now, as Peace is two years out, not one. Also, at 6’3″ and roughly 215 pounds, Peace earned the ratings he got. Considering his offers from the Maryland Terrapins, Kentucky Wildcats and several other schools, he is drawing power five interest already.
Then there’s his pedigree and location.
Historically, Knoxville players have always surpassed their star ratings with the Vols. That’s partially due to the love they typically have for the university, but it’s also due to Knoxville being an underrated area for recruiting. Many analysts when they’re in the state spend all their time in the Nashville area and overlook Knoxville, Chattanooga and Memphis.
Beyond that, though, Peace comes from a line of overachievers. Fulmer’s coaching record speaks for itself, but he was a three-year starter at guard for the Vols two from 1969 to 1971, a team captain and an All-SEC player who helped his team to an SEC title in 1969 and an 11-1 season and top five finish in 1970. He went 30-5 those three years.
Notably, Fulmer wasn’t even considered for the NFL afterward, though, and went straight into coaching. That suggests limited raw talent as a player, so he just managed to succeed far beyond his abilities when playing at the college level, something not talked about enough with his legacy.
Peace’s father, Robert Peace, was also never considered for the NFL. At 6’3″ 230 pounds, he maximized everything he had talent-wise with the Vols, anchoring a linebacker unit with much more high-profile players in Kevin Simon and Kevin Burnett.
Now, when you combine what athleticism Fulmer had on one side with the athleticism Peace had on the other, J.P. Peace should have more raw overall potential genetically than those two. Add in his pedigree and where he’s from, and regardless of his rating, he should be a very successful player with the Vols.
