Recruiting staffs across the Southeastern Conference have ballooned in size in recent years as most programs spare no expense when it comes to discovering, evaluating and ultimately recruiting prospects to campus. That being said, without the right leader in place and a clear vision in place for the program, some schools are harder to recruit to than others.

Just ask Tennessee tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyer, aka the National Recruiter of the Year in the 2019 recruiting cycle. 247Sports named Niedermeyer National Recruiter of the Year after helping Tennessee land five-star offensive lineman Darnell Wright, four-star linebackers Quavaris Crouch and Henry To’oto’o, four-star defensive back Tyus Fields, the nation’s top junior college defensive tackle Savion Williams and tight ends Jackson Lowe and Sean Brown.

During his Wednesday media availability, Niedermeyer was asked what it was exactly that made him such a good recruiter. Unsurprisingly, the assistant coach deflected all praise and credited Jeremy Pruitt for his individual success during the most recent recruiting cycle.

“Jeremy Pruitt,” Niedermeyer answered when asked to explain his recruiting success. “I think nobody is a good recruiter without a great recruiting head coach and a great program and a great vision. I’m not going to recruit as well at a much smaller school without history and great tradition.

“I think between Jeremy Pruitt and Phillip Fulmer and the rest of our staff, I think it makes it really easy to recruit here. It’s easy to recruit towards building and being able to have everybody here and everything we are able to offer at Tennessee, it’s a lot easier.”

When asked a follow-up regarding what he specifically brings to the table in recruiting, the Tennessee assistant again refused to bring attention to his individual efforts.

“Right time and right situation,” Niedermeyer added. “I think being here with Jeremy Pruitt and his vision moving forward, I think every place you go to has had a history of great coaches and he’s just another one in that line.”

Whatever Niedermeyer is doing he is keeping the program’s secrets close to the vest but he does make a good point regarding Tennessee’s program at the moment. The school has a lot to offer and immediate playing time is available for quality players willing to work to earn those roles. That’s something the coaching staff managed to successfully sell in 2019 and are well on the way to repeating that success in 2020.