Photo: Tennessee Athletics
In case you missed the news (hello, welcome out from your rock), Butch Jones is out in Knoxville. In short order, two Vol commits backed off from Tennessee.
Three-star receiver Shocky Jacques-Louis tweeted his announcement just minutes after the news broke.
I am officially decommitting from the University of Tennessee……..
— Shocky Jacques-louis (@ShockyMVP) November 12, 2017
About an hour later, four-star, in-state athlete Alontae Taylor tweeted this top-five list and send off to Jones.
Like to thank Coach Jones and staff for recruiting me and making me feel like family … Top 5 (No Order)
1. Louisville
2. Georgia
3. Alabama
4. Wake Forest
5. Georgia Tech @coachryanski@npasports1— Alontae ⁶ (@TaeTaylor6) November 12, 2017
I personally wouldn’t put a ton of stock in these announcements. Most recruits commit to a coach — or, at the very least, the coach plays an influential part in the recruits’ decision.
However, it does present an ever-growing problem for the Vols. Jacques-Louis and Taylor’s decisions brings the decommit total to seven in the past few months for the Tennessee. Now, John Currie is looking for a coach while hoping this recruiting class sticks together as the early signing period (December 20-22) approaches.
Is a quick hire the best way to make that happen? Quite possibly. I’d bet most of the Vols’ commits are on edge while waiting for a new coaching hire in Knoxville. Until that happens, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more Vol pledges look elsewhere.
