Tennessee Vols: What we know about Jeremy Pruitt's first signing class

Jeremy Pruitt’s first signing class at Tennessee will come to fruition on Wednesday, which is national signing day. It is the second stage of the signing process, thanks to the launch of a three-day early signing window in December. The Vols signed 14 players during that window.

Here are some topics to monitor for Tennessee.

Seeing stars at linebacker

Four-star linebacker JJ Peterson of Colquitt County High School in Georgia is the highest rated player, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, who is committed to Tennessee. He pledged to the Vols on Jan. 6.

More:Star LB J.J. Peterson becomes highest-rated commitment for Tennessee football in 2018 class

“That was such a high-profile addition,” said Ryan Callahan, recruiting editor for GoVols247. “Linebacker might not have been Tennessee’s most glaring need, position wise, but he’s really got a chance to still make an immediate impact.”

And the Vols might not be done at linebacker.

They’re in the mix with Georgia, Alabama and Auburn for Quay Walker, a four-star linebacker from Crisp County High School in Georgia.

Walker and Peterson are nationally ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, at outside linebacker by the 247Sports Composite.

If Walker joins Peterson in Tennessee’s signing class, they could form the “backbone of the rebuild of the defense,” said Woody Wommack, a Rivals.com recruiting analyst for the Southeast region.

But Tennessee is having to work to retain Peterson. Al.com reported Sunday that Alabama is continuing to pursue him.

They need cornerbacks

The Vols need help at cornerback, where they lost starters Emmanuel Moseley and Justin Martin, along with rotation regular Shaq Wiggins. Additionally, nickelback Rashaan Gaulden declared early for the NFL draft after he was the team’s top defensive player in 2017.

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

Tennessee didn’t sign any corners during the early period. Three-star cornerback Brandon Davis committed last week, but the Vols could use more corners in this class.

“They’ve got a lot to replace there,” Callahan said, “and not a lot of guys on the roster who have shown they can do it. … (Tennessee's staff has) made it clear with the guys they’ve targeted that they want those 6-foot and taller corners that everyone’s after these days. They want guys who can play press coverage and be physical at the line of scrimmage.

“It’s pivotal for them to get at least one pretty good corner in this class who can come in really ready to play because they need someone who can potentially challenge for a starting job this fall.”

Tennessee is in the mix for five-star Olaijah Griffin, but he’s expected to sign with Southern California.

Two four-star cornerbacks with Tennessee interest, Isaac Taylor-Stuart and Taiyon Palmer, remain uncommitted. Taylor-Stuart visited UT last weekend.

Georgia on the mind

None of the 14 players who signed with Tennessee in December is from Georgia, but this class is about to take on more of a Georgia flavor. Three players from Georgia are committed to Tennessee, and it would be no surprise if the Vols add to that number.

Pruitt was the defensive coordinator at Georgia for two seasons, and four of Pruitt’s assistants previously coached in Georgia.

“Georgia, especially Atlanta, that has to be essentially (Tennessee’s) second home because there’s so many good players in the area,” Wommack said.

Another running back?

Three-star running back Jeremy Banks signed with the Vols in December, announcing his decision on the first day of the early window.

More:Jerome Carvin, Jeremy Banks of Cordova sign with Tennessee in boost for Jeremy Pruitt

Another three-star running back, Anthony Grant, has been committed to the Vols since June. But, in addition to a visit to Tennessee, he visited Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Florida State this winter while weighing his options. Although he remains publicly committed to Tennessee, he told the Tallahassee Democrat that Florida State is "at the top" of his list after a visit to FSU last weekend.