Vanderbilt has not usually been considered a rival to Tennessee on the recruiting stage, but things have changed.
Head coach Clark Lea has Vandy’s football program in one of the best spots it has been in recent history. Could he begin poaching Tennessee prospects?
Here’s a look at some middle Tennessee prospects who may be swayed by a dominant Volunteer win on Saturday.
LB Edwin Spillman
Spillman is a four-star linebacker from Lipscomb Academy in Nashville. He is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2024 in Tennessee.
Spillman has clearly made Tennessee a priority in his recruitment. The linebacker has been in Knoxville for three games this season.
Tennessee offered the 6-foot-1 and 216-pound athlete a scholarship offer in April 2021.
Lipscomb Academy has sent plenty of athletes to play for the Volunteers. Spillman’s brother, Nathan Spillman, is a class of 2023 Tennessee commit. Most recently, four-star prospect Kaleb Beasley committed to Tennessee from Lipscomb Academy.
CB Jaylen Thompson
Thompson is a four-star cornerback from Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro. He is the No. 4 prospect in the class of 2024 in the state of Tennessee.
Thompson recently released his top 10 schools, which included the Volunteers among Auburn, Michigan, Arkansas, Michigan State, Kentucky, Louisville, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Nebraska.
Tennessee extended a scholarship offer to the 6-foot and 163-pound prospect in June 2021.
OL Ronan O’Connell
O’Connell, a three-star offensive lineman in the class of 2024, attends Fred J. Page High School in Franklin. He is the No. 11 prospect in Tennessee.
Vanderbilt has offered O’Connell and hosted the lineman for a camp. A win on Saturday for Tennessee may influence his recruitment.
Tennessee offered the 6-4 and 273-pound lineman a scholarship offer in February.
QB George MacIntyre
The 2025 prospect attends Brentwood Academy in Brentwood.
He does not hold a composite ranking yet, but Rivals247 ranks him as a four-star and the No. 2 Tennessee prospect in his class.
Tennessee offered the 6-5 and 178-pound prospect in August. MacIntyre visited Rocky Top for the Alabama game.
OL Chauncey Gooden
Gooden attends Lipscomb Academy in Nashville.
Although he doesn’t hold a composite ranking yet, Rivals247 ranks him as a four-star in the class of 2025 and the No. 3 prospect in Tennessee.
Tennessee offered the 6-4 and 320-pound lineman a scholarship offer in October 2021 following his visit for Tennessee’s matchup with South Carolina.
