Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers got some encouraging news on the 2025 recruiting front on Friday regarding a couple of their top targets. 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, as the Vols already were. However, On3 Sports’ Steve Wiltfong issued a projection for the Vols to land the five-star tackle Sanders when he announced his college destination on August 17.
FONG BOMB: On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Tennessee to land Five-Star Plus+ OT David Sanders Jr.
Sanders is set to announce his commitment Aug. 17⏳
Intel: https://t.co/FHr1fieXD4 pic.twitter.com/QBFx7AR9IB
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) August 9, 2024
Predictions don’t always end up being on point, so these should always be taken with a grain of salt. However, the Vols did get Sanders, Jr. on campus at the end of July for a visit, with fellow 2025 recruits George MacIntyre, Ethan Utley, and DaSaahn Brame also with him. MacIntyre’s been working the recruiting trail for Heupel so much, he should be on staff.
On the other side, Ffrench listing the Vols as a finalist IS a big deal and newsworthy. On3 Sports’ Hayes Fawcett announced the finalists, and Ffrench quote tweeted the announcement with an emoji, seemingly confirming it.
NEWS: Five-Star WR Jaime Ffrench Jr. is Officially down to 4️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’2 185 WR from Jacksonville, FL will announce his Commitment on August 30th
Where Should He Go? https://t.co/ZLL0MgpDDX pic.twitter.com/xeSEHMWB6G
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 9, 2024
— Jaime Ffrench Jr. (@jaimeffrenchjr) August 9, 2024
It goes without saying that Ffrench would be a big pickup for Heupel, and with the success the Vols have had the last few years with their passing game and wide receivers, who’s to say the Vols don’t have a punchers chance? Would I bet on the field over the Vols if you put me up to it? Yes. However, the Vols are still in the game and will have a hat on the table.
We’ll see if Heupel can give Ffrench something to think about before he announces his decision on August 30. If Heupel can secure the commitment of even one of the two, then the Vols’ current top 10 class will get a big jolt upwards.
And with the momentum Heupel has built this summer with a string of major pickups, you can’t count out the Vols from sending a shockwave across the 2025 recruiting world by landing both of them. We’ll know by the time toe meets leather on August 31 vs. Chattanooga if Heupel has done just that.
Go Vols!