Committed to Tennessee football since February, JJ Harrell has backed off his pledge. The four-star wide receiver announced on Monday via social media that he will be reopening his recruitment, officially.
Accompanied with the announcement was a statement from the prospect, who ranks as the No. 143 prospect nationally by 247Sports Composite rankings.
“A year ago, I never saw myself in this position,” Harrell wrote on Twitter. “I have been blessed with a chance to have several options to continue to play the game that I love. Recruiting became a little overwhelming and became very tough to juggle along with my surgery. Because of that I feel like I didn’t give myself a true chance to explore all of my options.
“I rushed the process. I’m 100% healthy now, and I want to open my recruitment back up and give myself a chance to make sure I’m making the right decision for my future. Thank you to all of the coaches at Tennessee for all of your time. I am decommitting from Tennessee, and I would like to officially reopen my recruitment. I am trusting God to lead my footsteps, and I look forward to finding a place that I can officially call home.”
Ranking-wise, Harrell is a four-star across the board. He sits as the No. 5 prospect from Mississippi, and the No. 32 wide receiver in the 2024 class.
Harrell is a Sardis, Miss., native. He attends North Panola High School. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he provides good size and versatility at the wide receiver position.
Harrell has recently been trending toward in-state schools Ole Miss and Mississippi State. There are several crystal balls on 247Sports to each school.
The 2024 class for Tennessee is currently comprised of four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger, four-star athlete Johnathan Echols, four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley, four-star Peyton Lewis four-star Marcus Goree Jr. and three-star defensive linemen Carson Gentle and Jeremais Heard along with three-star offensive linemen Gage Ginther and Jesse Perry.
