Josh Heupel has had no trouble recruiting out of Georgia. Alpharetta, Ga., lineman Shamurad Umarov adds to the list of prospects Tennessee football has gotten from the state. Here are five things to know about the 6-foot-6 and 337-pound offensive tackle.
Where Umarov ranks
247Sports ranks Umarov as a four-star prospect, the No. 13 offensive tackle in his class, and the No. 9 recruit from Georgia.
ON3 holds Umarov as a three-star prospect, the No. 34 offensive tackle, and the No. 39 prospect from Georgia.
Rivals puts Umarov as a three-star prospect, the No. 53 offensive tackle, and the No. 52 prospect from Georgia.
Umarov’s decision to choose Tennessee football
Kirby Smart wanted Umarov so bad he took a helicopter to see the prospect. Landing on Denmark High School’s football field, Smart made his pitch to Umarov. It wasn’t enough.
Tennessee football extended Umarov a scholarship offer in October 2021.
Umarov pledged to Tennessee in July after visiting the Vols at the end of June. He took official visits to LSU, Michigan State, and Georgia before choosing the Vols.
All-American
Umarov received an invite to compete in the All-American Bowl.
He will face off in the East vs. West matchup in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Vol fans will be able to watch Umarov compete on January 7th on NBC.
Turkish roots
When he was just one year old, Umarov got on a plane headed from Russia to Georgia. His famild, displaced in Russia from Middle-Eastern countries, headed to the United State, forced to learn a new language.
Umarov didn’t even know that college football players get their schooling paid for until he was in high school. Now, he is getting his school for free, an opportunity to play on the biggest stage, and a chance to give back o his family.
“I’m basically a Georgia boy,” Umarov told The Athletic. “Our Turkish culture is all about close family. It’s such a family-oriented culture, and there are so many good things about it because you’re always around people who will love you no matter what. … Just the things my family has sacrificed to get to this land and to have the things we have and the amount of effort it took to make a better life for us … I just want to repay them as much as I can.”
Scouting report on Tennessee football commitment
Cooper Petagna of 247Sports describes Umarov as a “prototypical offensive tackle” who will likely have success at the next level. He expects him to exceed his ceiling with one to two years in a college strength program.
“Exhibits good knee bend and hip flexibility in his pass and run set,” Petagna continues. “Shows the ability to fire off the ball, flashes good foot and body quickness. Appears to have good foot speed and lateral quickness in his pass-set. Demonstrates the ability to anchor at the point of attack, will need to continue to add muscle and improve play strength at the next level. Shows the ability to move defenders off the point of attack in the run game. Plays with a very good understanding of leverage and body control. Good athlete that can play in space at the second level and redirect. Flashes some nastiness with his ability to finish blocks.”
