KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Butch Jones’ second recruiting class at Tennessee, in 2014, was ranked No. 6 nationally mainly because he killed it in his home state.
Jones did what predecessor Derek Dooley failed to do – he owned his back yard.
Tennessee’s 2014 class included 10 signees from the Volunteer State: defensive end Derek Barnett, running back Jalen Hurd, defensive backs Todd Kelly Jr. and Rashaan Gaulden, receivers Vic Wharton and Josh Malone, offensive lineman Jashon Robertson, defensive linemen Michael Sawyers and Charles Mosley and kicker Aaron Medley.
Seven ranged from productive to terrific. One was dismissed (Sawyers), one transferred (Wharton to Cal) and one has yet to produce (Mosley).