During this past season, Tennessee started 11 freshmen from its 2014 recruiting class. Of the Vols’ 71 players that appeared in the season opener, 32 were freshmen. The previous record for freshman debuts in Week 1 was 12 in 2010.

Head coach Butch Jones signed a top-5 recruiting class in 2014, despite finishing the previous season with a 5-7 record. The Vols look to continue that success in 2015 with the added incentive of a bowl appearance.

Tennessee’s current class ranks No. 5 overall, despite the decommitment of inside linebacker Cecil Cherry on Monday. But Cherry’s decision could stem from the Vols’ recruitment of four-star linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr., who has shown interest since decommiting from Michigan in November.

Tennessee is also favored to sign several other uncommitted four-star targets, including strong-side defensive end Kyle Phillips, all-purpose back Bryce Love and outside linebacker Quart’e Sapp.

Kahlil McKenzie, son of former Vols great and current Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie, highlights Tennessee’s current class. McKenzie is a top-10 prospect who improved his stock after a stellar showing at The Opening in July.

Here’s a look at the Vols current 2015 recruiting class.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Saturday Down South’s references to recruiting rankings are to 247Sports.com industry composite ranking.

NAT RANK PLAYER H.S. (CITY, STATE) STAR POS HGT WGT
10 Kahlil McKenzie Clayton Valley (Concord, CA) 5 DT 6’4” 319
29 Preston Williams Lovejoy (Hampton, GA) 5 WR 6’4” 191
41 Shy Tuttle North Davidson (Lexington, NC) 4 DT 6’3” 311
136 Jack Jones Oakland (Murfreesboro, TN) 4 OT 6’5” 290
173 Jauan Jennings Blackman (Murfreesboro, TN) 4 DUAL 6’4” 188
191 Micah Abernathy Greater Atlanta Christian School (Norcross, GA) 4 CB 6’1” 187
233 Andrew Butcher Alpharetta (Alpharetta, GA) 4 SDE 6’2” 242
260 Darrell Taylor Hopewell (Hopewell, VA) 4 WDE 6’4” 230
350 Quinten Dormady Boerne (Boerne, TX) 3 PRO 6’3” 210
355 Venzell Boulware Creekside (Fairburn, GA) 3 OT 6’4” 295
446 Quay Picou Buford (Buford, GA) 3 DT 6’3″ 287
479 Marques Ford East Bay (Gibsonton, FL) 3 SDE 6’4” 220
489 Zach Stewart Coalfield School (Coalfield, TN) 3 OT 6’4″ 295
611 Dylan Jackson Maryville, TN 3 SDE 6’6” 245
630 Kyle Oliver Oakland (Murfreesboro, TN) 3 TE 6’5″ 230
673 Rocky Reid Concord (Concord, NC) 3 RB 6’0” 220
676 Chance Hall Northside (Roanoke, VA) 3 OT 6’5” 290
724 Stephen Griffin South Mecklenburg (Charlotte, NC) 3 S 6’3″ 189
741 Darrell Miller Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, TX) 3 CB 5’10” 171
745 Austin Smith Buford (Buford, GA) 3 OLB 6’3.5″ 230
785 Vincent Perry Hillsboro (Nashville, TN) 3 APB 5’11” 170
N/A Jocquez Bruce South Doyle (Knoxville, TN) 3 ATH 5’10” 260
N/A Tommy Townsend Boone (Orlando, FL) 3 P 6’1″ 240
N/A Riley Lovingwood Beech (Hendersonville, TN) 2 LS 6’1″ 240
JUCO 3 Alvin Kamara Hutchinson C.C. (Hutchinson, KS) 4 RB 5’10” 212