Top 10 recruits in the state of Tennessee in 2017

The next National Signing Day is almost 11 months away, but anyone in the recruiting business will tell you the process lasts 365 days a year.

After a few down years, Tennessee’s prep talent is back with a vengeance this cycle.

RELATED: Where are the 2017 five-star players located?

The Volunteer State hasn’t produced a composite five-star player since Jalen Ramsey (2013), now a first-round lock in the upcoming NFL draft after playing at Florida State.  UT hasn’t signed a composite five-star player from within the state since DeMonte’ Bolden (2004). The 2017 class features two such players: Tee Higgins and JaCoby Stevens.

Higgins, a 6-foot-5 receiver, already has committed to the Vols and then pulled back. Also a basketball player, UT is expected to compete with Clemson for his services. Likewise, Stevens, a 6-foot-2 safety, committed to LSU in September 2015 only to decommit the next month. The Vols and Tigers are considered the two schools most likely to land him.

There’s plenty of elite talent in this year’s class beyond the two five-star players. Last year’s composite No. 1 in the state, 6-foot-1 receiver Dillon Mitchell, signed with Oregon. The 2017 class in the state of Tennessee features six players ranked better than Mitchell.

Tennessee will have to stave off programs like Clemson, LSU, Florida State and Ole Miss if coach Butch Jones wants to sign his share of the state’s top prep talent.

Dabo Swinney, fresh off an ACC Championship and College Football Playoff appearance, has secured the only two current verbal commitments among Tennessee’s top 10 players. It’s no surprise that Hugh Freeze is a threat, given Ole Miss’ close proximity to Memphis. The Rebels have been a recruiting force throughout the region of late.

If you want a receiver or safety in 2017, Tennessee is a great place to look. Including to Higgins and Stevens, the top 10 features a total of six players at the two positions.

Maleik Gray, another 6-foot-2 safety, currently ranks as the 47th-best prospect in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite. He plays more like a linebacker at La Vergne High School just outside of Nashville, and should be a hard-hitting safety at the college level. Tennessee is the favorite to land his teammate, 6-foot-2 receiver Princeton Fant.

At 6-foot-5 and 302 pounds, Jackson, Tennessee’s Trey Smith could be a future left tackle in the SEC. Nationally, he ranks as the 10th-best offensive tackle in the 2017 class.

Though Vanderbilt has been able to capture a few of the state’s top players in recent years, including four-star cornerback Joejuan Williams, it appears that the Commodores have work to do to become competitive for this year’s top in-state talent.

We should see some major recruiting battles near Memphis, Nashville and even Knoxville this cycle from some of the best programs in the SEC and ACC.