Depth, speed, and the trenches have been focal points when targeting recruits this offseason. The Tennessee coaching staff has been hard at work, and we’re starting to see it pay off as the summer months dwindle.

A lot of recruits prefer to make their college decision before their senior seasons at their respective high school, and an influx of future Vols have made their decision to make Knoxville their home. 

Douglas Utu, 6’5, 317-pound 4-star Offensive Tackle out of Las Vegas, Nevada, is the 4th best OT in the 2025 class according to 247sports.com. Utu mulled offers from Alabama, Nebraska, Washington, and the most recent national champions, Michigan. 

His main recruiter, Glen Elarbee has been making waves in the most recent recruiting classes as he has pulled in a ton of talent for the Vols. 

On the other side of the line of scrimmage, Mariyon Dye recently committed to the Vols. Dye is a 6’5, 270 lb Defensive End who wreaked havoc on opposing offenses in his junior season. He tallied 61 tackles, five TFLs, four sacks, and three fumble recoveries in two seasons of varsity football. 

Dye was projected to commit to Ohio State, but chose the Volunteers last week and vaulted the Vols’ class to 11th in the country. 

The latest commitment, Tre Poteat, is a speedy defensive back out of Verona, Wisconsin. Poteat is a 3-star, who chose the Vols over Wisconsin and Florida.

Poteat is the son of a former NFL star, Hank Poteat, who was drafted in the 3rd round by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played in the league for nine seasons, winning a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2005. 

Tre Poteat garnered 76 total tackles this past season, with seven pass deflections, and three interceptions, including a pick-six, a forced fumble, and one TFL. 

It was a HUGE week for the Vols, and they are knocking on the door on a couple of Top-100 recruits, and still in great shape for 5-star David Sanders Jr. who continues to comment on the commitment posts of every recent pledge. Sanders is set to announce his commitment on August 17th.

The Vols still sit at 15th in national team rankings in recruiting, and could potentially break the top 10 soon.