Tennessee has strung together impressive recruiting class after impressive recruiting class under head coach Butch Jones and the 2017 cycle has a chance to be very, very good to the Vols.

That is, if Tennessee, can land its share of what is shaping up to be a stellar in-state talent pool this cycle.

So with that, here are five prospects, all from within the state of Tennessee, that every Vols fan should know heading into the meat of the ’17 cycle.

1. JaCoby Stevens, ATH, Murfreesboro (Tenn.)

Stevens is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound athlete who likely projects as a safety or big corner in college. He has outstanding instincts, ball skills — just about everything you would want in a versatile playmaker on both sides of the ball. Tennessee will have to battle LSU and the rest of the country for the five-star prospect, who is ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect in the 2017 cycle per 247Sports Composite rankings.

2. Tee Higgins, Oak Ridge (Tenn.)

The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Stevens is very likely the best big receiver prospect to come out of the Volunteer State since Patrick Turner (USC) in the Class of 2005. Higgins can flat-out go up and get it and while the level of competition he plays against at the high school level is often out-classed athletically, his talent and upside/ability are clear. The five-star prospect is ranked No. 24 overall for the 2017 cycle per 247Sports Composite rankings. The Vols had Higgins committed, but he backed out and now Clemson is major factor.

3. Maleik Gray, ATH, LaVergne (Tenn.)

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Gray is similar to Stevens in a lot of ways — first and foremost, both are from the Nashville area. Second, both are versatile prospects who probably project long-term on defense. Gray is one of the most instinctive prospects defensively on film that you will find. Florida State, Tennessee and USC are the three teams most associated with his recruitment at this early stage. Gray, a four-star prospect, is ranked No. 35 overall in the 2017 cycle per 247Sports Composite rankings.

4. Trey Smith, OT, Jackson (Tenn.) University School

When you turn on the film and watch Smith, it’s pretty clear that he’s the top offensive tackle prospect to come out of west Tennessee since Michael Oher in the 2005 class. He’s big, his extremely athletic and he has great strength and will flatten defenders that are overmatched and come across his path (he had 140 pancake blocks last season). The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder is one of the top tackles in the country. The Vols, along with Alabama, Ole Miss, Notre Dame and others are all over this prospect, who is ranked No. 57 nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings for 2017 (and should be higher).

5. Ty Chandler, RB, Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell Academy

Chandler, the No. 5 running back in the 2017 class per 247Sports Composite rankings, is very high on Ole Miss early. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder also does have a Tennessee offer and running back is a huge position of need for the Vols this recruiting cycle. What stands out about Chandler on film is his breakaway ability- he can make one or two guys miss and then take it to the house. He’s an excellent back and one Tennessee could certainly use given the need.