As Early Signing Day approaches on Wednesday, Tennessee football’s 2024 recruiting class is ranked the No. 13 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 Edrees Farooq. Here are five things to know about the defensive back.
Coming from Baltimore
Tennessee’s roster currently only has three players from Maryland — Dont’e Thornton Jr., Braeden Krivosh and Dominic Bailey. Bailey comes from the same high school as Farooq, who is the lone player from the DMV in the Vols’ 2024 class.
Farooq hails from a powerhouse in Baltimore as well, graduating from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. He often faced off with some of the best high school talent in the country, finding success.
The numbers
Farooq ranks as a three-star on all the major recruiting services.
247Sports ranks Farooq as the No. 18 prospect from Maryland. He also ranks as the No. 567 overall prospect and the No. 58 safety in the 2024 class.
On3 ranks Farooq as the No. 615 prospect overall and the No. 18 prospect from Maryland. He also ranks as the No. 62 safety in the 2024 class.
Rivals ranks Farooq as the No. 17 prospect from Maryland and the No. 59 safety.
Hard hitting and versatile
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.
That versatility will help him bolster a position of need for Tennessee. The Vols have already lost six defensive backs to the transfer portal from a unit that was already in need of depth.
Under Armour All American
Farooq gets the unique opportunity to compete in the Under Armour All American game. He was chosen as just the 1% of high school players who get to compete in the game.
The game, traditionally played in Camping World Stadium in Orlando, 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.
Football family
Farooq’s cousin, Jalil Farooq, was a four-star wide receiver in the 2021 class. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound reciever committed to Oklahoma, and has found instant success.
Jalil Farooq played seven games his freshman year, he put up 606 all-purpose yards his sophomore year and 732 all-purpose yards this season. He also returned kicks for the Sooners.
