Commitment Day Preview: Final Thoughts on Braylen Russell

2024 four-star running back Braylen Russell (Benton, Ark.) comes off the board this evening. Where do the Tennessee Volunteers sit?

Decision day has arrived for Arkansas running back Braylen Russell. The 6-2, 250-pounder will decide between Arkansas, South Carolina, and Tennessee tonight at 7:30 PM EST on the 247Sports Recruiting Show. The Vols are a primary contender for Russell and gained a lot of ground with him after his official visit.

Russell is playing this one close to the vest. Many are split on where he could end up. While South Carolina is technically in his top three, Arkansas and Tennessee feel like the final race-horses coming down the track. Russell was once committed to the in-state Razorbacks before reopening his recruitment in October to explore his options. Tennessee offered soon after, and the two sides began forming a relationship that has come a long way in a short time. 

The coaching staff wants to take two quality running backs in the 2024 recruiting cycle. They are confident in four-star running back commit Peyton Lewis (Salem, Va.), a speedster that clocked a top speed of 21.9 miles per hour on the GPS in his junior season of high school. They envision Russell as a strong complement to Lewis, a downhill bruiser that churns out yards after contact. Russell's size fulfills those requirements and some, and he has a remarkable balance for someone that weighs more than SEC linebackers.

2024 RB Braylen Russell during his official visit to Tennessee on June 23

To our knowledge, Russell hasn't informed either staff of his decision as of this morning. While he could choose any of these three suitors, we project him to end back up in Arkansas. The in-state factor has been at the forefront of Russell's mind since the beginning of his recruitment, and their coaching staff ensured he got as many looks as possible at the campus and program. That level of comfort and familiarity, coupled with him being three weeks removed from the high of his Tennessee visit, we are predicting Russell to the Hogs tonight.

Volunteer Country Prediction: Arkansas

Tennessee's 2024 Recruiting Class

• Jake Merklinger, QB
• Peyton Lewis, RB
• Braylon Staley, WR
• Jonathan Echols, TE
• Gage Ginther, OL
• Jesse Perry, OG
• Max Anderson, OG
• Kellen Lindstrom, DL
• Carson Gentle, DL
• Jeremias Heard, DL
• Jordan Burns, ILB
• Kaleb Beasley, CB
• Boo Carter, S
• Edrees Farooq, S
• Marcus Goree, S

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