Ethan Utley Cuts Recruitment Down

2025 four-star defensive lineman Ethan Utley (Nashville, Tenn.) has been high on the Tennessee Volunteers for a long time and has them in his top five schools.

One of the primary targets for Tennessee in the 2025 cycle is in-state defensive lineman Ethan Utley. He's been friends with several current Tennessee commits for years, and the coaching staff feels the same way the players do - they want Utley in orange and white.

Utley is also high on the Vols. He released his top five schools on Christmas Day, and Tennessee found themselves on his list alongside Michigan, Oklahoma, Syracuse, and Texas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney @SWiltfong247 pic.twitter.com/33yaqULeyC

— Ethan Utley (@EthanUtley1) December 25, 2023

The junior had the chance to visit Tennessee this year as for the Texas A&M game at home, where the Vols pulled in a win. “The atmosphere was great; fans were loud from before the game even started until after, and Rocky Top never fails to be electric. Just the comfort level I'm beginning to build there is making me more eager to come back” stated Utley. This is not the first time Utley has visited Tennessee; the talented defender made a flurry of offseason visits and saw the win over Kentucky last season in Neyland Stadium.

2025 4-star DL Ethan Utley during an unofficial visit to Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of Ethan Utley)

The offseason is almost underway for Tennessee football. The Vols have concluded the regular season and are now focusing on roster construction for the 2023 season. Volunteer Country has fans covered with all the latest portal entries and NFL Draft declarations. The portal window is from December 4 until January 2. If players don't transfer within that window, they must wait until May following spring practice to enter the transfer portal.

Tennessee's Offseason Player Movement

Former Vols In The Transfer Portal

• Warren Burrell, DB (Georgia Tech)
• Mo Clipper, OL (Charlotte)
• Brandon Turnage, DB
• Jack Luttrell, DB (Arizona)
• Addison Nichols, OL (Arkansas)
• Tyler Baron, DL (Ole Miss)
• Doneiko Slaughter, DB (Arkansas)
• De’Shawn Rucker, DB
• Tamarion Mcdonald, DB (Ole Miss)
• Wesley Walker

Transfer Additions

• Holden Staes, Notre Dame TE
• Jakobe Thomas, Middle Tennessee State S
• Jerod McCoy, Oregon State CB
• Chris Brazzell, Tulane WR

Tennessee's 2024 Recruiting Class

• Jake Merklinger, QB
• Peyton Lewis, RB
• Mike Matthews, WR
• Braylon Staley, WR
• Braylon Harmon, WR
• Cole Harrison, TE
• Bennett Warren, OT
• Jesse Perry, OT
• Gage Ginther, OT
• William Satterwhite, OG
• Max Anderson, OG
• Kellen Lindstrom, DE
• Carson Gentle, DE
• Jeremias Heard, DL
• Jordan Ross, EDGE
• Edwin Spillman, ILB
• Jordan Burns, ILB
• Marcus Goree, DB
• Kaleb Beasley, CB
• Boo Carter, S
• Edrees Farooq, S

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