Where Tennessee's 2024 recruiting class is ranked after adding another commitment
Tennessee football added its eighth commitment to its 2024 recruiting class when Gage Ginther, the offensive tackle out of Fort Collins, Colorado, made his pledge to the Vols Saturday night.
The Vols are now ranked seventh nationally in the 2024 On3 team recruiting rankings and are fourth in the in SEC with a class score of 92.31.
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Ginther, out of Fossil Ridge High School, is a three-star prospect ranked No. 97 overall among offensive tackles according to the On3 ratings. He’s ranked No. 7 overall in the state of Colorado.
His commitment came a day removed from in-state offensive tackle Jesse Perry, the 6-foot-6, 275-pound three-star prospect out of Middle Tennessee Christian School in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Tennessee Football 2024 Recruiting Class
Jake Merklinger, 6-3, 195, 4-Star QB | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 66 NATL, No. 7 QB, No. 9 GA
High School Scouting Summary
Jake Merklinger: Accurate, mobile passer with a strong feel for the game early on in his high school career. Among the more accurate top quarterbacks in the 2024 cycle, completing over 70 percent of his passes as a sophomore. Comfortable navigating the pocket. Sees the field well, finding open receivers while under pressure. Shows the ability to quickly react and escape from pass rushers. Functional mobility both in and out of the pocket is among the best among top 2024 quarterbacks at this juncture. Can pick up chunks of yards with his legs on designed runs and scrambles. Has shown a good arm to this point, but can continue improving his velocity as he gets stronger, in addition to tightening his release. A multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and lacrosse.
Jonathan Echols, 6-3.5, 215, 4-Star TE (Franklin, Ga.) | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 91 NATL, No. 7 TE, No. 13 FL
High School Scouting Summary
Jonathan Echols: Do-it-all athlete who looks to best project as an EDGE prospect long-term. Played multiple positions for his high school, working as a quarterback, receiver and pass rusher/linebacker. Makes big plays in every phase. Shows high-level play speed in running down plays in pursuit as a defender. Doubles as a playmaker with the ball in his hands on offense. Tested as a plus athlete in the off-season prior to his junior season at 6-foot-3.5, 212 pounds. Transferred to IMG Academy for his junior season. Will need to hammer down a long-term position once he assimilates to the IMG program.
JJ Harrell, 6-0, 185, 4-Star WR (Sardis, Miss.) | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 86 NATL, No. 13 WR, No. 2 MS
Kaleb Beasley, 6-0, 180, 4-Star CB (Nashville, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 137 NATL, No. 14 CB, No. 2 TN
Marcus Goree, 6-1, 170, 4-Star S (Cleveland, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 425 NATL, 36 S, 9 TN
Gage Ginther, 6-4, 236, 3-Star OT (Fort Collins, Col.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 740 | 52 OT | 2 CO
Carson Gentle, 6-4, 236, 3-Star DL (Chattanooga, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 759 NATL, 80 DL, 26 TN
Jesse Perry, 6-6, 275, 3-Star OT (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 893 NATL, 66 OT, 32 TN
Timeline: Echols was the first name in Tennessee’s 2024 recruiting class, committing to the Vols on July 4, 2022. Gentle gave the Vols two commitments for the month when he committed on July 23 and Kaleb Beasley was the third commit in the class, announcing his decision on October 21. Goree and Harrell were next in February, with Goree committing on February 18 and Harrell following on February 27. Merklinger gave the Vols their quarterback commitment for the class on March 30 before Perry and Ginther gave Tennessee back-to-back commitments on Friday and Saturday.
