Two of the biggest priorities remaining for Jeremy Pruitt and his Tennessee coaching staff are at receiver and defensive back. Despite joining UT’s 2018 recruiting efforts late in the game, due to the coaching turnover in Knoxville, that hasn’t stopped the Vols from shooting their shot with two of the best prospects in the nation at each respective position.

Florida receiver and Under Armour All-American Jacob Copeland, one of the top uncommitted prospects remaining in the nation, hosted two Tennessee coaches Monday as offensive coordinator Tyson Helton and new receivers coach David Johnson made an appearance at his Florida home. Copeland is rated as a four-star and the No. 65 overall prospect in the nation by 247Sports Composite Rankings.

You may recall Copeland as the prospect that announced Tennessee was among his finalists hours after Pruitt was named the head coach in Knoxville. Prior to Pruitt’s hiring, Tennessee was not even involved in Copeland’s recruitment and he had never visited the UT campus. It didn’t take long before Copeland hopped on a plane and to take his first visit to Knoxville.

While Alabama, Florida and potentially Texas A&M, Copeland recently took an official visit to College Station, remain heavily involved in his recruitment, Tennessee continues to battle its SEC rivals for Copeland’s signature.

Copeland posted this picture after the in-home visit:

https://twitter.com/JCope1era/status/955624573801762816

Another top prospect that was new to Tennessee’s board following Pruitt’s hiring is elite defensive back, Olaijah Griffin. Rated as the No. 3 cornerback in the nation by 247Sports Composite Rankings, Tennessee is battling Griffin’s hometown school USC for his signature. He was also an Under Armour All-American this year.

Pruitt, defensive backs coach Terry Fair and Tennessee’s West Coast area recruiter Brian Niedermeyer all made an in-home with Griffin Monday night. Griffin recently took an official visit to USC. Should he sign with Tennessee, he’s likely to contribute immediately on Pruitt’s first UT defense.

Following the visit, Griffin posted this image:

Tennessee’s new staff may have to pull an upset or two to land these All-Americans come National Signing Day, but based on early recruiting returners from this staff, it would be wise to rule anything out at this point.