Report: Vols Top Recruit Requests Release from NLI

Tennessee's top recruit in the 2021 class was Handley High School product Dylan Brooks. The five-star signed with the Vols in the Early Signing Period, but is now requesting a release from his NLI.

A tough week for Tennessee athletics continues late on Tuesday night. Multiple sources are reporting that the highest rated player in Tennessee’s 2021 recruiting class, Dylan Brooks, has requested his release from his NLI. Brooks is a five-star prospect from Handley High School (Roanoke, AL) that projects as a defensive end or outside linebacker at the next level. The 6’5” 250-pound Brooks signed with Tennessee during the Early Signing Period; however he is not at early enrollee with the Vols.

In order to be released from his NLI, Brooks will have to request a release from the letter from the University. Depending on how the situation is resolved, Brooks could either be granted immediate eligibility with another team that he chooses to sign with on National Signing Day in February, or he could potentially lose a year of eligibility. Cases in the past with the NCAA would indicate that if Brooks requests his release from Tennessee, with Jeremy Pruitt having been fired, Brooks would likely not lose any eligibility. 

Brooks was a priority target for the Vols over the last few seasons. Tennessee had been desperate to land an elite pass rusher, and had struggled to do so until they landed Brooks. On film, Brooks looks absolutely dominant and almost unblockable at times. His first step is absolutely astounding, and he has good use of his hands to compliment his elite speed and acceleration. Brooks also shows the strength to bull rush offensive tackles and play well against the run, however he excels at using his elite speed to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Brooks was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s 2021 recruiting class, and filled a glaring need for an elite pass rusher. Brooks looked to step in immediately and likely start for Tennessee as a freshman. His departure from the class will leave Tennessee scrambling to attempt to find any kind of replacement by National Signing Day, a struggle that will be compounded as the Vols search for a new athletic director, head football coach, and football staff. 

Brooks had committed to Tennessee back in the spring, but his close relationship with Jeremy Pruitt was always a major factor in his commitment to Tennessee. Pruitt’s firing, along with the firing of his position coach Shelton Felton, appear to be enough to cause Brooks to change his mind. It will be worth watching to see if Brooks sticks by his request to leave the class and how it is handled, but his loss is a huge blow to this Tennessee class. Brooks will immediately be one of the most covered players in the nation between now and Signing Day.