Tennessee nabs Under the Radar 2017 Florida TE James Brown
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Volunteers added a second tight end to their 2017 recruiting class on Sunday securing Orlando talent James Brown.
Brown was part of a young Jones High School squad in 2015 that toughed out a 5-6 record against Florida 4A competition. All of the lumps taken a year ago have paid off this season seeing the Fightin’ Tigers run through the regular season with a 9-1 record. Brown has been an all-around offensive weapon for Jones lining up under center, completing 16 of 19 passes for 135 yards with three touchdowns without throwing a pick and rushing the ball 15 times for 170 yards with three more scores.
Where the 6-4, 218 pound, athlete may make his mark at the next level is in the receiving game as either a tight end or receiver. Brown has seven receptions for 102 yards with two more touchdowns through eight games.
It has to feel good for Brown to align with the Volunteers. He had six scholarship offers reported with the others coming from Marshall, Gardner-Webb, Holy Cross, Florida A&M, and Massachusetts. Brown was offered on Sunday promptly accepting the scholarship extended. Brown posted news about his scholarship offer on Twitter writing, “Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee. #govols.”
Tennessee’s class is now busting at the seams with 26 verbal commits. The addition of Alabama linebacker Will Ignont on Oct. 25 filled the class at 25.
247Sports rates Tennessee’s 2017 class No. 9 in the nation, No. 4 in the SEC. Rivals thinks a tad more about the Vols’ recruiting efforts placing them as the No. 8 class in the land.
Tennessee Volunteers 2017 Verbal Commitment List (26)
CB Terrell Bailey, 6-0, 175, John Ehret HS, Marrero, LA
CB CJ Cotman, 5-11, 180, Central Catholic, Clearwater, FL
CB Cheyenne Labruzza, 5-11, 186, Albany HS, Albany, LA
SS Maleik Gray, 6-2, 205, LaVergne HS, LaVergne, TN
SS Jaquan Henderson, 6-1, 205, Newton HS, Covington, GA
SS Theo Jackson, 6-2, 176, Overton HS, Nashville, TN
LB De’Morreal “Mo” Burnam, 6-3, 218, Salem HS, Conyers, GA
LB Will Ignont, 6-2, 230, Buckhorn HS, New Market, AL
LB Solon Page III, 6-1.5, 192, Kell HS, Marietta, GA
DE LaTrell Bumphus, 6-3.5, 232, Hardin County, Savannah, TN
DE Tre Lawson, 6-6, 247, North Augusta HS, North Augusta, SC
DT Kivon Bennett, 6-3, 265, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
DT Eric Crosby, 6-1, 285, Ocean Lakes HS, Virginia Beach, VA
DT Brandon Gaddy, 6-5, 289, Sullivan Catholic, Virginia Beach, VA
DT Breyon Gaddy, 6-5, 335, Sullivan Catholic, Virginia Beach, VA
OL Riley Locklear, 6-5, 290, Spring Valley HS, Huntington, WV
TE James Brown, 6-4, 218, Jones HS, Orlando, FL
TE Chase Rogers, 6-2.5, 230, St. Stanislaus HS, Bay St. Louis, MS
RB Ty Chandler, 5-11.5, 195, Montgomery Bell, Nashville, TN
QB CJ Lewis, 6-3.5, 205, Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, CT
WR/OLB Marquez Bembry, 6-3, 214, Mount Vernon Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA
WR Princeton Fant, 6-2, 208, LaVergne HS, LaVergne, TN
WR Jacquez Jones, 5-11, 165, Clearwater HS, Clearwater, FL
WR Jordan Murphy, 6-1, 168, Hattiesburg HS, Hattiesburg, MS
ATH Trey Coleman, 5-11, 203, West Monroe HS, West Monroe, LA
K Brent Cimaglia, 6-0, 215, Fred J Page HS, Franklin, TN
Photo credit: Orlando Sentinel; No. 17 James Brown.