Is Tennessee Being Passive With 2024 Class?

The Tennessee Volunteers lack interest in the 2024 recruiting cycle thus far, which should be a strong endorsement of their current roster.

We all know how many players Tennessee has as options for next season. Even with the Julian Phillips and B.J. Edwards decisions, the Vols have a potential of 15 players for just 13 scholarships. With NIL as a factor, there's always a possibility that Tennessee uses it as an additional scholarship. However, the lack of room and minutes on the roster could carry over into the season after.

According to 247Sports, Tennessee only has three 2024 recruits they are interested in. The three are Somto Cyril, Ahmad Nowell, and Rakease Passmore. The Vols have no guys listed as top targets or high interest. Now, I don't think this says much about the 2024 class. It's clear to anyone that evaluates recruits that the 2024 class, while not being unbelievable, is way ahead of the 2023 class in terms of talent. The lack of interest from Rick Barnes and his staff might simply be that they're really comfortable with the team they have.

We already know that the 2023 class doesn't have many NBA guys that stick around in the league. So on the roster, who are guys that could really leave Tennessee early to go pro? Tobe Awaka, maybe if he has a big sophomore year? Maybe Jonas Aidoo's rim protection gets him looks in the league? Outside of those guys, Tennessee doesn't have anyone that could be an early entrant down the road.

Barnes and the staff are confident in their ability to develop and also add through the portal. Despite the climate of college basketball, where guys enter the portal routinely, Tennessee has already proved they can add capable replacements. It's also possible that the staff could add some top-end talent through a loaded 2025 class. That, however, is very much to be determined.

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