4-star DL Ethan Utley locks in official visit to Tennessee
Nashville Ensworth four-star defensive lineman Ethan Utley announced on Friday that he will come off the board and commit on March 28.
The rising prospect is down to five schools: Michigan, Syracuse, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. On Sunday, Utley locked in an official visit date with the in-state Volunteers — who are currently trending for his pledge.
Utley will be back on Rocky Top from June 13-16 for his OV with the Vols. He told On3’s Chad Simmons earlier this week that he has still not made his decision, but Tennessee is clearly in a good spot. Even if Josh Heupel and Co. don’t land his pledge at the end of the month, they’re now set to get at least more shot to make an in-person impression this summer.
“I am comfortable where I am at, each coach has created a relationship with me that makes me feel comfortable with them and what will lead me to my decision is team culture. From the head coaches all the way down to the analysts, I want to be part of a big family and a great culture,” Utley told On3.
“I want to play with guys that buy into the program. That is something I am looking at seriously. I have to live and be a human where I go, so I want to play great football and win national championships, but I have to be in the right environment too.”
Utley has been a frequent visitor in Knoxville. He made multiple stops in 2023 and has already been back for a Junior Day trip this year. He continues to feel the love and feel like a priority with the Volunteers.
“They are willing to create a relationship with you outside of football,” Utley told Volquest in February. “They know when you come here there is more to life than football. Just knowing they take the time out of their day to create a relationship to where you don’t have to just be all about football is one of those things where you can connect on a different level.”
Utley is the No. 178 overall prospect and No. 14 DL in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in Tennessee.
Tennessee Class Breakdown
From the top-ranked player in-state to a trio of Peach State prospects, six recruits are currently committed to Heupel and his staff in Knoxville.
When looking at Tennessee’s 2025 class, all eyes point toward Nashville Brentwood four-star quarterback George MacIntyre. The No. 3 QB and No. 1 player in Tennessee in the cycle, he will likely headline the Vols’ class for the entirety of the year.
“I’m ready to give my all to Tennessee and rep the home team every Saturday,” MacIntyre told On3 upon his commitment.
MacIntyre is one of four commits on the offensive side of the ball for Tennessee. Southlake (Texas) Carroll four-star tight end Jack Van Dorselaer is a top-250 recruit in the On3 Industry Ranking, while Buford (Ga.) three-star running back Justin Baker is a top-30 player at his position.
Both defensive commitments for Tennessee are in the secondary. Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton three-star cornerback Dylan Lewis and Milton (Ga.) three-star CB Tyler Redmond each pledged late in 2023.