Tennessee’s 2023 class currently sits at No. 11 in national recruiting rankings. The class currently consists of one five-star, 12 four-stars, and 10 three-stars.
Prospects can begin signing during the early signing period on Dec. 21. As we approach the early signing period, here are six things to know about Nate Spillman.
Spillman’s rank
Spillman is a three-star on all three respective recruiting databases – 247Sports, ON3, and Rivals. He measures out at 6-foot-1.5 and 194-pounds.
247Sports ranks Spillman as the No. 76 prospect in Tennessee, and the No. 287 wide receiver.
ON3 holds Spillman as the No. 45 prospect in Tennessee, and the No. 241 wide receiver.
Rivals has Spillman as the No. 27 prospect in Tennessee.
Spillman’s homeland
Spillman is originally from Sierra Leone on the West African coast.
Not very many (American) football players hail from Sierra Leone, but Amara Darboh – Seattle Seahawks third-round pick in 2017 – shares Sierra Leone origins.
As for West African origins, Giants’ standout and two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora is from Nigeria. Retired now, he holds football camps in West African countries.
Spillman’s upbringing
Spillman is one of the Volunteers’ five prospects who are from Tennessee. Spillman lives in Nashville.
The in-state prospect has had a great view watching what Tennessee is building.
“Coach Heupel and (Alex) Golesh made it really clear that they want me, and I’m a big part of what they’re trying to build at Tennessee,” Spillman told GoVols247 “It just made sense to me that that’s the place I want to be. It was one of the most simple decisions I could make. How could you not want to be part of something like what Tennessee is building? It was a no-brainer.”
Tennessee ties
Spillman attends Lipscomb Academy. Josh Heupel has had a strong hand inside Lipscomb Academy. Even Vols Baseball head coach Tony Vitello is picking up Mustangs.
Along with Spillman, Kaleb Beasley – a highly ranked defensive back prospect – chose the Volunteers.
It seems that Heupel has had success in recruiting Nashville prospects so far.
Tennessee may get more than one Spillman
Heupel doesn’t just want one Spillman, but two.
Edward Spillman, Nate’s little brother, ranks as a four-star prospect in the class of 2024. He is the No. 10 linebacker and the No. 1 Tennessee prospect.
He measures out at 6-1 and 216-pounds. It’s no wonder why Heupel, and Nate Spillman, want Edward Spillman in Orange and White.
Choices, choices, choices
Spillman had his fair share of choices in where he wanted to play.
He chose Tennessee over Arkansas State and Marshall. Spillman was also in contact with Mississippi State, Kentucky, Arizona State, and Ole Miss.
Tennessee extended Spillman his first scholarship offer in January 2020, and he verbally committed in March of 2021 after camping with the Volunteers.
Heupel made a push for Spillman, and it was an easy decision for him to take his talents to Knoxville.
