Tennessee earns commitment from in-state blue-chip kicker

Tennessee earns commitment from in-state blue-chip kicker.

Only days after officially receiving an offer from Tennessee to be a part of the 2021 recruiting class as a preferred walk-on, in-state kicker JT Carver announced his commitment to the Vols on Wednesday.

Out of Martin, Tennessee, Carver is a 5-star kicker according to Kohl’s Kicking, and the No. 14 kicker in his class. It’s a huge get for the Vols, who will have uncertainty at the kicking position after Brent Cimaglia plays out his senior season in 2020. Carver will have a chance to come in and compete for a starting role in 2021.

As a lifelong Tennessee fan, Carver trains under former UT kicker James Wilhoit, who has high praise for the rising senior at Westview High School.

Wilhoit kicked for Tennessee from 2003-06, and finished his career as the second-leading scorer in school history.

Not only is it a big get for the Vols without losing a scholarship, but it could be another path forming to land 4-star quarterback Ty Simpson, Carver’s high school teammate. Simpson is the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the country, and top-ranked player in Tennessee for 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite.

JT Carver commits to Tennessee

JT Carver commits to Tennessee.

MARTIN — JT Carver, a rising senior at Westview High School in Martin, Tennessee, has committed to the Vols.

The 2021 prospect was initially offered by Tennessee Aug. 3.

According to Kohl’s Kicking Service, Carver is a 5-star and the No. 14 kicker in his class. Carver is a teammate of Ty Simpson, a 4-star quarterback prospect in the 2022 class that the Vols are also pursuing.

NEXT: Vols’ 2021 football commitment tracker

Tennessee offers in-state 2021 kicker JT Carver

Tennessee offers in-state 2021 kicker JT Carver.

Tennessee has one of the best situation’s in the SEC at kicker in 2020, with the return of Brent Cimaglia for his senior season.

The Vols’ placekicking future is a question mark, however, and UT’s staff hopes a solution will come after offering in-state 2021 prospect, JT Carver.

Carver is a rising senior at Westview High School in Martin, Tennessee.

According to Kohl’s Kicking Service, Carver is a 5-star and the No. 14 kicker in his class. Carver is a teammate of Ty Simpson, a 4-star quarterback prospect in the 2022 class that the Vols are also pursuing.

Tennessee does not have any special teams prospects committed to the 2021 recruiting class.