Butch Jones failed to land his third consecutive top-10 recruiting class, but the Tennessee coach has plenty of reason for optimism heading into the 2016 season.

The Volunteers closed out National Signing Day with the nation’s No. 14 team, good for No. 7 in the SEC. Jones’ class features 21 athletes, including 10 four-star recruits. The class, however, is sorely lacking in homegrown talent, with just three players from the state of Tennessee in this year’s haul.

SECONDARY COMES FIRST

Jones loaded up the fourth recruiting class during his tenure in Rocky Top with a slew of help for his secondary. The biggest signing-day get for Jones might be Nigel Warrior, the nation’s No. 4-rated safety, who chose the Vols over Alabama and Auburn, as well as LSU and Ohio State. Jones had history on his side in landing Warrior, whose father, Dale Carter, was an All-American for the Volunteers. Joining Warrior in Tennessee’s secondary are three four-star prospects, Marquill Osborne, Desmond Henderson and Tyler Bird.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

The class only has nine defensive players, but all but two of them are considered four-star talents. Warrior is a five-star commit, depending on which scouting service you ask. Among the top players on defense are Osborne and Alexis Johnson, two of the top-rated players committed to the Vols. Johnson, from Fort Scott (Kansas) Community College, is the No. 2 overall defensive tackle in the nation. Also offering four-star level help is OLB Daniel Bituli.

Offensively, Jones added three offensive tackles and a pair of three-star tight ends.

WE’RE NO. 1

Tennessee is hoping it landed its heir apparent to Josh Dobbs in quarterback Jarrett Guarantano. The Oradell, N.J., native is the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and the second-highest rated player in a state that produced the country’s No. 1 overall recruit in Michigan’s Rashan Gary. Guarantano committed early in the process, allowing him to get out and influence other recruits. The Vols added three three-star wide receivers, led by Jeff George, who has already enrolled in classes.

All told, the Volunteers added a dozen offensive players, many of whom will be asked to replace key veterans in a year or two. The group is highlighted by Marquez Callaway. The Warner Robins, Ga. athlete excelled at both cornerback and wide receiver in high school, but likely will line up on offense for Jones.

Tennessee also inked Jonathan Kongbo, the nation’s No. 1-rated JUCO transfer. A native of Surrey, British Columbia, Kongbo arrives in Knoxville after two seasons at Arizona Western Community College. The strong-side defensive end decommitted from Jones’ program in January, but returned to Rocky Top after mulling offers from Alabama and Ole Miss, as well as Florida State and Southern California.

FEEL GOOD STORY

Landing running back Carlin Fils-Aime came with more perks than just adding a four-star recruit. Following Fils-Aime (“brotherly love” for you non-French speakers) to Knoxville is his best friend and four-star cornerback Tyler Bird.

SIGNEES

  • Nigel Warrior, S, four-star
  • Jarrett Guarantano, DUAL, four-star
  • Jonathan Kongbo, SDE, four-star
  • Tyler Bird, CB, four-star
  • Marquez Callaway, ATH, four-star
  • Daniel Bituli, OLB, four-star
  • Ryan Johnson, OT, four-star
  • Carlin Fils-Aime, RB, four-star
  • Marcus Tatum, OT, three-star
  • Brandon Johnson, WR, three-star
  • Ja’Quain Blakely, OLB, three-star
  • Corey Henderson, WR, three-star
  • Austin Pope, TE, three-star
  • Devante Brooks, TE, three-star
  • Baylen Buchanan, CB, three-star
  • Latrell Williams, WR, three-star
  • Nathan Niehaus, OT, three-star

EARLY ENROLLEES

  • Marquill Osborne, CB, four-star
  • Alexis Johnson, DT, four-star
  • Jeff George, WR, three-star
  • Desmond Henderson, CB, four-star

All ratings, unless otherwise denoted, come courtesy of 247Sports composite ratings.