Not that long ago, Tennessee had the SEC’s top-ranked recruiting class. Despite the speculation surrounding the future of former coach Butch Jones’ job, the UT staff managed to piece together one of the nation’s top recruiting classes entering the 2017 season.

Of course, things fell apart quickly on the field for the Vols and in turn, that chipped away at the recruiting class one prospect at a time. When Jones was dismissed, the class took further defections and the hiring of Jeremy Pruitt has led to even more attrition.

Tennessee’s recruiting class now sits at No. 12 in the SEC just days away from the early signing period. With so many holes on the roster and depth a major concern, Pruitt and his staff have turned much of their attention to the junior college ranks. However, they aren’t just going after JUCO players, they are pursuing several junior college teammates from the Arizona Western and ASA College.

With the recruiting dead period set to begin Monday, the Vols have one last chance to impress prospects on campus before Wednesday’s early signing period. The new-look Tennessee staff deserves praise for getting over a dozen prospects on campus in the hopes of landing a few signatures Wednesday thru Friday during the early signing period. Most notably, Tennessee is hosting several elite JUCO recruits. Judging by the reaction from some of the players in town for a visit, the Vols have to like their odds heading into the dead period.

Here’s the No. 4 JUCO running back in the nation Greg Bell:

https://twitter.com/GregBell_/status/942102239497347074

Soon after that picture was posted, Bell received a Tennessee Crystal Ball prediction. This tweet is even more noteworthy for the fact that Bell retweeted it.

His Arizona Western junior college teammate Dominick Wood-Anderson also posted the picture with his own caption. Wood-Anderson is the nation’s No. 1 ranked tight end at the JUCO level.

https://twitter.com/TheRealYungDom/status/942127509365194758

Junior college offensive linemen, which just so happens to be one of Tennessee’s greatest areas of need, Johncarlo Valentin and Jahmir Johnson posted this picture. Valentin is the nation’s No. 2 ranked offensive guard while Johnson is the nation’s No. 5 ranked JUCO offensive tackle prospect.

https://twitter.com/jahmirjohnson34/status/942106563275345921

Here’s a picture of all four Arizona Western teammates in town (from left to right): Bell, Johnson, receiver Jaron Woodyard and Wood-Anderson.

https://twitter.com/tcminnick11/status/942076555353784321

https://twitter.com/TheRealYungDom/status/942111700039462913

No one is quite sure how the new signing day will pan out for any program — not to mention new coaches around the nation scrambling to build staffs, connect with prospects and current players — but Pruitt’s staff at Tennessee could be setting the template for future programs to follow. With so little time to make inroads on the recruiting trail and fans anticipating a quick fix on the field, it makes sense to pursue elite junior college talent all from the same programs.

If Tennessee can sign multiple players from Arizona Western or ASA College, some of that may be accomplished due to the opportunities being given to these players to continue their playing careers together at another program. If the move pays off for the Vols, don’t be surprised to see new staffs follow suit this time next year.