Tennessee Vols football has top-15 signing class within reach for Jeremy Pruitt

Entering the start of the December early signing period, Tennessee’s recruiting class was ranked outside the top 50 in the 247Sports Composite. The Vols had recently lost several commitments, which wasn’t unexpected given that they had endured a coaching change and a 4-8 season.

But Jeremy Pruitt reeled in several prospects during that December window who weren’t previously committed to the Vols, sending UT’s class shooting up the rankings.

More:Vols signee JT Shrout draws high praise from former NFL quarterbacks

The Vols signed 14 players during that early period and rolled their momentum into the new year.

Tennessee’s class was ranked 19th by the 247Sports Composite and Rivals.com rankings as of Thursday.

More:Here's who Tennessee Vols football added in early signing period

“The facts are, they’re going to end up with a top-25 class,” said Woody Wommack, a Rivals.com recruiting analyst for the Southeast region. “Given the time he had to build, I think he’s done a great job.”

Wommack said UT’s standing in the recruiting rankings is noteworthy when compared to other SEC schools that underwent a coaching change.

Tennessee and Florida are the only SEC teams that hired new coaches to rank in the top half of the conference in the 247Sports Composite or Rivals rankings.

Texas A&M, Arkansas, Mississippi and Mississippi State also named new coaches. Texas A&M and Arkansas rank 13th and 14th, respectively, in the Rivals rankings, though Texas A&M’s class is getting a bit more respect from 247.

So, how high can Tennessee's class go?

More:Riverdale DL D'Andre Litaker decommits from Tennessee Vols, re-opens recruitment

Wommack and Ryan Callahan, recruiting editor for GoVols247, said the Vols can aspire to a top-15 ranking.

Tennessee’s signing class last year was ranked 17th in the 247Sports Composite, marking the first time since 2013 that the Vols were outside the top 15.

Many of the Vols' 14 signees in December are enrolled this semester.

Four additional players are committed to the class.

Linebacker JJ Peterson of Colquitt County High School in Georgia is the top prize. The four-star prospect committed to the Vols on Jan. 6 over Alabama, Auburn and Georgia, among others. Peterson formed a relationship with Pruitt while Pruitt was Alabama’s defensive coordinator.

More:Star LB JJ Peterson highest-rated commitment for Tennessee football in 2018 class

“You look at a player like JJ Peterson, when Pruitt was hired in December, I don’t think anybody was going to project him to go there,” Wommack said. “And that situation changed quickly. Next thing you know, he’s committed.”

The Vols remain in the mix for some other highly rated prospects, including four-star linebacker Quay Walker, who is also weighing interest from Auburn, Georgia and Alabama. And Tennessee is competing with Southern Cal for five-star cornerback Olaijah Griffin.

“The fact that they’re even in those races is pretty impressive,” Callahan said. “Just the visitors they’ve gotten, I think it shows this staff is going to have a chance to compete with the big boys in the SEC.”