Believe it or not, Tennessee fans may play as big of a role as the Vols’ coaching staff in recruiting this weekend.
“It starts when we load the buses and drive over,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said at his press conference on Thursday. “You can see the fans along the river, whether that’s on the boats or tailgating on the other side of it. When you get out for the Vol Walk and there are 40,000 people, there’s nothing like it in college sports.”
Tennessee is inviting dozens of prospects to Knoxville this weekend, and justifiably so. A sold out, checkered Neyland Stadium on Saturday will make for an unprecedented experience for the recruits considering Tennessee.
Heupel went on to describe the balancing act of managing the massive recruiting weekend along with the ranked matchup against Florida.
“Recruiting-wise, it’s a huge weekend for us,” Heupel said. “You don’t do anything that takes away from your preparation or your player’s preparation, the game is the most important thing. Those moments that you have an opportunity to, the recruiting piece is vital to the continued growth of our program.”
Here are some visitors on campus this weekend:
WR Mazeo Bennett
Bennett announced he would be in Knoxville on Saturday via social media. The four-star was extended a scholarship offer from Tennessee in April.
The 6-foot and 165-pound prospect is ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver in South Carolina for the 2024 class. He attends Greenville High School.
DL Daevin Hobbs
Hobbs will be on campus this weekend via Rivals247. The five-star prospect was extended a scholarship offer from Tennessee in June.
The 6-4 and 262-pound defensive lineman would be a big pick up for the Volunteers, a team in desperate need of depth on the defensive side of the ball. Hobbs attends Jay M. Robinson High School in Concord, NC.
EDGE/TE Johnathan Echols
Echols, an early class of 2024 commitment, announced he would be on Rocky Top this weekend via twitter.
The 6-4 and 230-pound five-star athlete attends IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Echols committed to the Volunteers in July after being extended a scholarship offer in December 2021.
LB Sammy Brown
Brown, a five-star in the class of 2024, will be in Knoxville this weekend per Shayen Pickering.
The 6-2 and 225-pound linebacker attends Jefferson High School in Jefferson, GA. He was extended a scholarship offer from Tennessee in March of last year.
S Ricardo Jones
Jones, ranked as a four-star in the class of 2024, is expected to be in Knoxville this weekend. Jones recently announced he had to undergo ankle surgery.
The 6-3 and 200 pound prospect attends Northside High School in Warner Robins, GA.
OL Hayes Johnson
Johnson is another prospect expected to be on campus this weekend. Johnson was extended a scholarship offer from Tennessee in July.
The three-star lineman has great size at 6-5 and 295-pounds. He attends Taylor County High School in Campbellsville, KY.
WR Mario Craver
Craver, who was extended a scholarship offer from Tennessee in January, is expected to be on Rocky Top this weekend per Rivals247.
Craver is a four-star in the class of 2024. The 5-9 and 152 pound receiver attends Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, AL.
ATH BJ Gibson
Gibson is also expected to be on campus this weekend. The 6-foot and 170 pound prospect is a Tennessee baseball commit and ranks in the top 100 for baseball. On the football side, he is ranked as a four-star.
The dual-sport athlete attends Wilcox County High School in Rochelle, GA.
CB Travaris Banks
Banks, a four-star prospect in the class of 2024 from Tuscaloosa, AL, announced he would be in Knoxville this weekend via social media.
The 6-2 and 180-pound prospect was extended a scholarship offer from Tennessee Sept. 8. He attends Northridge High School.
Many believe Banks to be leaning towards Alabama, who offered him in January.
For more prospects that are slated to be in town, click here.
