On Sunday, the day before the mandated month-long recruiting dead period went into effect — a time when college coaches are not allowed to have face-to-face contact with college-bound student athletes or their parents — Tennessee had its roughest recruiting day in a long time.

The first blow came when Jordan Bonner committed to Kentucky. That was just the beginning. Later that day, Jordan Smith, a four-star defensive end from Georgia who was only considering Tennessee and Florida chose the Gators,

The Vols also got bad news when four-star DE Jonathan Kongbo from Arizona Western Junior College — who committed to Tennessee in November — recently tweeted that he had received a scholarship offer from Alabama. If the Vols lose Kongbo, they won’t have any defensive ends in their 2016 recruiting class.

But the final hit was the biggest. D’Andre Christmas-Giles, a three-star DT from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, decommitted from Tennessee.

The Vols had already lost commitments from DE Chidi Okonya and athlete TaDarryl Marshall.

With all this in mind, let’s take a look at Tennessee’s recruiting grades so far.

OFFENSE: C (8 TOTAL COMMITS)

Junior-college WR Jeff George may be the only offensive player from this class to play right away. His ability to stretch the field would allow other wide receivers to find openings. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano and RB Carlin Fils-aime also are top prospects. But those are the only offensive standouts in the recruiting class.

At this point, the Vols still haven’t recruited a wide receiver with breakaway speed, and they only have one commit on the offensive line. After the dead period, Tennessee should make a serious push to add a few more offensive line recruits.   

DEFENSE: B+ (7 TOTAL COMMITS)

If Tennessee can keep Kongbo, its recruiting season would be considered successful on the defensive side of the ball. The Volunteers defensive line currently has depth and talented players, including DE Derek Barnett. The 6-6, 264-pound Kongbo is physical at the point of attack and capable of rushing the passer. Adding top-ranked junior-college DT Alexis Johnson would also add depth to Tennessee’s defensive line and will allow the Vols to rotate players throughout the game. Junior-college CB commit Desmond Henderson could have an immediate impact if Cameron Sutton enters the NFL Draft.

If Tennessee can sign a quality safety, the group of defensive players in the recruiting class will be solid.

RECRUITING NEEDS

Tennessee needs a safety and more offensive linemen. Adding another defensive end also would help.

Landon Dickerson, an offensive tackle from Hudson, N.C., who has taken official visits to Michigan, Florida State and Auburn, has taken recent visits to Knoxville.