On Friday, Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers received promising news about a pair of their top recruiting targets for 2025.
The Vols are now finalists for both David Sanders, Jr. and Jaime Ffrench.
The news isn’t that big of a deal for the former because the Vols were already there. When five-star lineman Sanders announced his college decision on August 17, On3 Sports’ Steve Wiltfong predicted that the Vols would land him.
FONG BOMB: On3's @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Tennessee to land Five-Star Plus+ OT David Sanders Jr.š
Sanders is set to announce his commitment Aug. 17ā³
Intel: https://t.co/FHr1fieXD4 pic.twitter.com/QBFx7AR9IB
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) August 9, 2024
Predictions aren’t always accurate, so take them with a grain of salt. Sanders, Jr. did visit campus at the end of July, along with fellow 2025 recruits George MacIntyre, Ethan Utley, and DaSaahn Brame. MacIntyre has spent so much time recruiting for Heupel that he should be on staff.
On the other hand, Ffrench’s designation of the Vols as a finalist is significant and newsworthy. Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports announced the finalists, then Ffrench quote tweeted the announcement with an emoji, possibly confirming it.
NEWS: Five-Star WR Jaime Ffrench Jr. is Officially down to 4ļøā£ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6ā2 185 WR from Jacksonville, FL will announce his Commitment on August 30th
Where Should He Go?šš½https://t.co/ZLL0MgpDDX pic.twitter.com/xeSEHMWB6G
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 9, 2024
šš https://t.co/Lj68zmUsXU
— Jaime Ffrench Jr. (@jaimeffrenchjr) August 9, 2024
It goes without saying that Ffrench would be a significant addition to Heupel’s roster, and given the Vols’ recent success with their passing game and wide receivers, who is to say the Vols don’t have a punchers chance? If you challenged me to a bet, would I go with the field over the Vols? Yes. However, the Vols are still in the game and will put a hat on the table.
Let’s see whether Heupel can give Ffrench something to think about before he makes his decision on August 30. If Heupel can get the commitment of even one of the two, the Vols’ current top-10 class will take a significant step forward.
And with the momentum Heupel has established this summer with a slew of huge signings, the Vols can’t be counted out of sending a tremor through the 2025 recruiting world by landing both of them. By the time toe touches leather on August 31 against Chattanooga, we’ll know if Heupel has accomplished his goal.
