OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Tyler Baron, 4-star from Knoxville, Tennessee
A teammate of early enrollee Cooper Mays out of Knoxville Catholic High School, Baron was a high priority for Tennessee during this recruiting cycle. Rated the No. 4 strong-side defensive end in the 2020 class, the Vols had to beat out Ohio State, Kentucky and Oklahoma for his signature.
An athletic defender with an unusual burst for his age, do not be surprised to see Baron make an impact as a pass rusher for Tennessee in his freshman season.
Morven Joseph, 4-star from Lakeland, Florida
One of the biggest surprises from the Early Signing Period, Tennessee snagged Joseph away from Florida as a former Florida State commit.
The No. 12 weak-side defensive end in the country, Joseph is a player that has risen in recruiting rankings since his signing and that Pruitt believes is capable of playing all four linebacker positions.
Tamarion McDonald, 3-star from Memphis, Tennessee
Tennessee’s recruiting success in Memphis in 2020 continued with McDonald, who elected to play for the Vols over Arkansas, Indiana, Ole Miss and others.
An athletic 6-foot-2, 214-pounds, McDonald has experience dropping back and playing safety, along with all three other linebacker spots. McDonald was the third and final signee of the Whitehaven Trio from Memphis in the Early Signing Period.
NEXT: Tennessee’s 2020 defensive recruiting class by position