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Tennessee has had a huge week with recruiting.
On Saturday, a ridiculous seven prospects from the 2017 class all pledged to Butch Jones and the Volunteers. Seven. That put them at 17 commits total and nine for the month of June.
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But on Monday afternoon, that number went up a little higher when 3-star defensive tackle Kivon Bennett (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) announced he would be headed to Knoxville next year, too.
“I’ve always wanted to play in the SEC,” Bennett told 247Sports. “The staff there was so welcoming. I loved the environment there. I felt real comfortable. I love their facilities.”
Bennett, who held offers from a whopping 28 different programs and elected to pick Tennessee over Alabama — which may come to a surprise to some, considering his father, Cornelius Bennett, was a star outside linebacker for the Crimson Tide from 1983-86 before playing in four Super Bowls for the Buffalo Bills.
Ranked as the No. 36 player at his position for his class, Bennett recorded 32 tackles, 5.0 sacks and a forced fumble as a junior during the 2015 season, helping his team win a state championship.
Tennessee’s 2017 class now ranks No. 6 nationally and 3rd in the SEC.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
