A strong recruiting finish for Tennessee would include more cornerbacks

Part of Jeremy Pruitt’s sales pitch to recruits probably hasn’t been much different from what former Tennessee coach Butch Jones was saying when he was hired after the 2012 season.

Pruitt, like Jones, can offer playing time.

Jones took over a UT program that had just posted a 5-7 record. Pruitt was hired after Jones’ last Tennessee team went 4-8.

While Pruitt has a more talented roster than Jones did in his first season, he still can entice recruits with playing time. An 0-8 SEC record speaks for itself.

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

More:Why Tennessee Vols' improvement under Jeremy Pruitt could begin with offensive line

But what else does Pruitt have going for him as he wraps up the 2018 signing class and moves on to future recruiting?

He has a field of expertise that is exceptional for a new UT coach.

More:What a Jeremy Pruitt staff with roots in South might mean for Tennessee Vols recruiting

More:UT Vols' tough schedule nothing new to Jeremy Pruitt

Pruitt’s reputation as a defensive coach is as noteworthy as former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin’s was as an offensive strategist. Ex-Vol coaches Jones and Derek Dooley had an offensive background, but no one regarded them as great tacticians.

Based on Pruitt’s background, he seemingly could restore Tennessee’s defense faster than he does the offense. He has been a defensive coordinator for two national championship teams, Florida State and Alabama, which he left for the UT job. He also coordinated Georgia’s defense for two seasons.

Another Pruitt advantage: He’s already firmly entrenched in the Southeast. No doubt, that helped him gain a commitment from outside linebacker J J Peterson of Moultrie, Ga.,

Pruitt first recruited Peterson to Alabama, so he already had a strong connection with the four-star prospect. Peterson then committed to Tennessee at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Peterson should contribute as a freshman. So might four four-star defensive linemen who signed with the Vols in December.

However, there is still a glaring hole in the class.

Although there are needs in virtually every area, some needs are more apparent than others on Wednesday’s national signing day. Take cornerback, for example.

Other than three-star commitment Brandon Davis, UT has no cornerback signees or commitments in its 2018 class. That could change on signing day. The Vols are still in the running for three cornerbacks, including five-star Olaijah Griffin.

The need is obvious to anyone who watched UT struggle to defend Missouri’s and Vanderbilt’s passing game in the last month of the season. Next season, the Vols will face numerous opponents capable of exploiting shortcomings in pass coverage, starting with West Virginia, which will return quarterback Will Grier and an outstanding receiving corps.

All-SEC quarterback Drew Lock will head up what should be another potent Missouri offense, unless it’s sabotaged by Dooley, who recently was hired as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator. Based on their returning talent, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida also could be more effective throwing the ball next season.

Tennessee’s new defensive staff should be more capable of dealing with the challenge. But no manner of scheming can fully overcome inadequate coverage.

The Vols need recruiting help, too.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.