BREAKING: Three-Star Defense rejects Tennessee Signs with SEC Rivals
Florida State has had a lackluster finish to the Early Signing Period after losing five-star defensive back KJ Bolden to Georgia and failing to close on No. 1 prospect Jeremiah Smith. The Seminoles have a solid class in the fold but have once again taken some big hits at the conclusion of the recruiting cycle.
The program will be adding at least one prospect to the fold who entered Wednesday with a decision to make. Three-star defensive lineman D’Nas White announced that he was taking his talents to Tallahassee during a signing ceremony at his high school.
White chose the Seminoles over Miami and Tennessee. His relationship with the coaching staff is a big reason that he ultimately ended up at Florida State after taking his official visit two weeks ago.
“I just like the atmosphere and the fans,” White said to NoleGameday previously. “I have a good relationship with the coaches and they’re real loyal.”
Throughout his recruitment, White built a strong bond with defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins. He’s going to have an opportunity to play under a coach who is a proven developer on the field and off of it.
“It was awesome,” White said. “He’s real genuine, he’s a great person, a great coach, and he’s amazing.”
The North Carolina native recorded 45 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two pass deflections during his senior campaign. He participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.
The 6-foot-4, 333-pound defensive lineman is regarded as the No. 683 overall prospect, the No. 74 DL, and the No. 22 recruit in the state of North Carolina in the 2024 class according to 247Sports.
As of now, Florida State holds 22 signees in its 2024 class, which ranks No. 10 overall in the country according to 247Sports.
Early Signing Period: Tracking all of Tennessee’s signees
Most of the class of 2024 will be set after today.
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The early signing period has arrived. Most prospects around the country will make their college decisions official today as teams put the final touches on their 2024 classes. Tennessee is expected to sign around 20 prospects today, in addition to a handful of transfer commitments that they’ve landed out of the portal.
We’ll track all of the action below as the day unfolds.
Tracking all of Tennessee’s signatures during the Early Signing Period
- That should be it for the day. All 21 of Tennessee’s commitments have either signed or enrolled. We’ll hear from Josh Heupel later today to break down the class, then all focus will return to the portal.
- Tennessee’s latest commitment — tight end Cole Harrison — has signed. Harrison essentially replaces the spot of Jonathan Echols, who decommitted earlier this month.
- JUCO 3-star DL Jamal Wallace is in. Tennessee picked up his commitment just a few days ago.
- 3-star OL Gage Ginther has signed, coming in all the way from Colorado.
- 3-star safety Edrees Farouq has signed.
- Back to back receiver signatures — 5-star Mike Matthews is in. Matthews is the 28th ranked player in the 2024 cycle, per 247Sports.
- 4-star wide receiver Braylon Staley is official. Tennessee had to work to finish this one down the stretch, but they were able to do so.
- 3-star defensive back Marcus Goree Jr. has signed.
- Tennessee’s quarterback is in — 4-star quarterback Jake Merklinger is official. Merklinger will likely serve as Tennessee’s backup next season.
- 4-star athlete Boo Carter has signed with Tennessee. The Volunteers held off a late push from Colorado to keep Carter home.
- TRANSFER: Former Oregon State CB Jermod McCoy has signed after announcing his commitment to Tennessee earlier this morning.
- TRANSFER: Former MTSU S Jakobe Thomas has officially signed.
- TRANSFER: Former Notre Dame TE Holden Staes has officially signed. He’ll play alongside of Ethan Davis going forward.
- 4-star OT Bennett Warren has signed. The Texas native should have a year to get acclimated before potentially pushing for playing time in 2025. Warren is a top 100 prospect in the class.
- 3-star OL Jesse Perry is in. Perry comes out of Murfreesboro.
- Big one here — 5-star edge rusher Jordan Ross has signed. Tennessee beat out just about every power program in the SEC for Ross, who ranks as the 11th player overall in the class. He joins a suddenly loaded edge group in Knoxville.
- Tennessee adds long snapper Marshall Box.
- 4-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley is in. The longtime in-state commitment suddenly has a path to playing time after several departures at corner.
- 3-star EDGE Kellen Lindstrom has signed. He’s the tenth-ranked player in the state of Tennessee, per 247Sports.
- 4-star LB Edwin Spillman is in. More much-needed linebacker depth on the way.
- 4-star OG William Satterwhite has signed. He’s likely got a year to wait, but the Ohio native could be in the mix for a starting spot next season once some veterans move on.
- 3-star linebacker Jordan Burns has sent his papers in.
- Intriguing DL prospect Jeremias Heard has signed. The 6-7, 300 pounder will now go to work with Rodney Garner.
- Dynamic 4-star running back Peyton Lewis is next. The Virginia native is a top 200 prospect in the cycle, per 247Sports.
- 4-star offensive tackle Max Anderson is in. The 6-5, 309 pounder is out of Texas.
- The first signature is in… it’s in-state DL Carson Gentle. The 3-star defender is out of Chattanooga.
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