While the coaching staff is putting the final touches on the 2015 class, one of the advantages of having a lot of that work done is that they can also look more towards the 2016 class.
That paid dividends on Thursday morning as Tennessee added four-star tight end/defensive end Devante Brooks out of Washington D.C., one of the top 2016 targets for the Vols.
“Brooks has the raw physical attributes to be a contributor on either the defensive or offensive side of the ball,” ESPN wrote in a scouting report of the 6-foot-5, 220-pound prospect. “Shows good hands in traffic and has solid blocking skills. He is an effort type of player that does not shy away from contact and he has the tools to develop into a solid player in the trenches. Displays range and foot speed as a TE or DE.”
Brooks, who has a dozen offers including Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, Virginia Tech and others, brings size and versatility to the 2016 class. He’ll need to add strength to his large frame over the next year, but he could be a nice addition to Tennessee’s defensive line or, perhaps more likely, as a tight end, where ESPN.com ranks him as the second-best in the nation in his class despite the fact that he missed his junior season with a torn ACL.
The Vols have three scholarship tight ends that are scheduled to still be on campus when Brooks arrives – Ethan Wolf, A.J. Branisel and Neiko Creamer. Only Wolf, to this point, has seen significant playing time. The Vols also have a commitment from three-star tight end Kyle Oliver in the 2015 class.
Rankings for Devonte Brooks:
247Sports: N/R
Rivals.com: ★★★★; No. 62 overall; No. 4 TE
ESPN.com: ★★★★; No. 131 overall; No. 2 TE
Scout.com: ★★★
Film:
