2024 4-star CB Kaleb Beasley stays home, commits to Tennessee

Earlier this spring, Notre Dame was the favorite for Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley. He was very high on the Irish. LSU was a competitor as well. As the season began, Tennessee had moved into Beasley’s top two with the Tigers. The No. 122 prospect in the 2024 On300 then attended the Volunteers’ win over Florida in Knoxville, which made a strong impression on the 6-foot-0.5, 180-pound junior.

Beasley was back for the Alabama game. That victory sealed the deal. On Friday, Beasley publicly pledged to the Vols.

“As soon as that game was over and I could get to the coaches, I committed,” Beasley told On3. “I felt it. I knew I wanted to commit to Tennessee. Going into that game against Alabama, I was high on Tennessee.

… It was LSU and Tennessee as my top two, but I knew where home was. It was Tennessee. It was time to make my decision. I told (secondary) coach (Willie) Martinez first, then it was (defensive coordinator Tim) Banks. I had to wait for (head) coach (Josh) Heupel to do all of his stuff after the win over Alabama, but as soon as I saw him, I told him. It was a great feeling. I knew where I wanted to be. I get to stay home and go to Tennessee.”

Tennessee’s momentum on the field was big for Kaleb Beasley

Coming a 7-6 season last year, the Volunteers had some juice on the recruiting trail. But much of what Heupel and Co. could sell was hope, as the results hadn’t quite caught up yet. That has changed dramatically this season with a 6-0 start and No. 3 ranking.

“The turnaround of the program was huge for me,” Beasley said. “It got started last season with how they played under coach Heupel. Then this year, seeing the improvement, how the team is playing, and what they are building made Tennessee very attractive.

“…I want to go win in college, so Tennessee doing what it is doing really stands out to me. I feel I can add to the momentum they have right now and help build the 2024 class. Tennessee is on its way to the top I feel like.”

Beasley grew up a fan of the Volunteers, and his dad is a die-hard Tennessee supporter. But that never clouded his judgment about where he wanted to go.

“There is orange all over my house,” he said. “My dad is a huge Tennessee fan. He never let it play into my recruitment, but there is Tennessee stuff all over my house. We all grew up fans of Tennessee, so it feels good to commit to the school I grew up cheering for. My family loves it. It just feels right. It is home for me at Tennessee.”

Tennessee’s whole staff recruited Beasley

While longtime defensive backs coach Willie Martinez was his recruiter, Beasley said that it was an entire staff effort to recruit him. That started with Heupel, as well as Banks, defensive graduate assistant Tyson Key and more.

“Those guys make me feel like family. They are always welcoming. It is easy to talk to them. Since Sept. 1, they all have been blowing my phone up making me feel so important. Tennessee is the in-state school and the new staff is working hard to keep the in-state recruits home.

“… They are making us a priority and the old staff wasn’t doing that. If we all stay home, we can keep building what the team is building this season. The staff is special and they are doing something special at Tennessee.”