Tennessee’s unexpected success in 2021 proved that Josh Heupel can coach in the SEC. He was dealt some lousy hands, yet he still found a way to be in the money.

With a solid QB commitment, 5 receivers to bolster that position and some talented newcomers up front on both sides of the line, the Vols are moving up in the SEC recruiting rankings, and quite possibly in the SEC standings in the years to come.

The Early Signing Period starts Wednesday. Let’s take a closer look at where the Vols’ Class of 2022 stands.

By the numbers

Overall rank: 18
SEC rank: 8
5-stars: 0
4-stars: 4

Did they find a future QB?

Tennessee certainly thinks that it did. Tayven Jackson, a 4-star out of Greenwood, Ind., should fit Heupel’s system well. Jackson can take a hit and will stay in the pocket if necessary, but he also is more than capable of making plays with his feet.

Considering the attrition at that position due to transfers and a dismissal, the Vols need Jackson to be prepared to play early if needed. Both Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton had their issues with injuries in 2021.

Who is the best offensive player?

Kaleb Webb, a 4-star WR out of Powder Springs, Ga., was a long-time East Carolina commit but flipped to the Vols late in this recruiting cycle. His 83 catches for 1,601 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021 opened the eyes of Michigan and Louisville before he finally settled on UT.

Webb is 6-foot-2.5 and runs the 100 in less than 11 seconds. He will get the chance to make plays in Heupel’s offense.

Who is the best defensive player?

Joshua Josephs, a 4-star edge rusher from Kennesaw, Ga., was another late get for Tennessee, as he picked the Vols over Auburn, Penn State and Ole Miss, among others.

Josephs is versatile, can play linebacker if needed and has an 82-inch wingspan. For a defense that is on the field for a lot of plays, it never hurts to have someone of his caliber on the roster.

What position did they recruit the best?

Tennessee needs offensive linemen, and it has secured 4 of them in this class.

The Vols’ top overall recruit is Addison Nichols, a 4-star interior offensive lineman from Norcross, Ga. He turned down Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia for Tennessee.

Maurice Clipper Jr., a 3-star interior lineman, and 3-star tackles Masai Reddick and Brian Grant give UT much-needed depth.

All 4 have been long-time Tennessee commits.

What position do they still need to recruit?

Nothing will ever top of the Class of 2012, in which Derek Dooley failed to bring in a single offensive lineman.

The Class of 2022 features only 1 running back, but he’s a good one in high 3-star Dylan Sampson of Geismar, La. Still, with the transfer of Tiyon Evans, you would have liked to see at least 1 more running back in this class.

Did they keep the best players home?

No … no, they did not. Elijah Herring, a 3-star linebacker from Murfreesboro, and 3-star wide receiver Cameron Miller from Memphis make up a very small representation of in-state commitments.

High school football in Tennessee isn’t at the level of Florida and Georgia, but it has improved a lot over the past 10-15 years. There are 2 5-stars and 9 4-stars inside the state’s borders, and the Vols didn’t get any of them.

Of course, if the Vols win games, it wouldn’t matter if they got all their recruits from Utica.

Overall, how you should feel about this class …

Tennessee fans should be pleased with this class. It wasn’t long ago when the Vols were ranked nationally in the 30s and way back in the conference. Heupel and his coaching staff made a late run at guys like Webb, Josephs and 3-star defensive back Desmond Williams, and it paid off. Williams, a JUCO transfer from East Central Community College in Mississippi, could be a sleeper in this class.

At 18th nationally, this is a 5-spot jump from the Class of 2021, most of which was secured before the firing of Jeremy Pruitt.