Tennessee Flips 2017 Texas QB Will McBride away from the Memphis Tigers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
All is far in love and recruiting wars. On Tuesday, Tennessee worked their magic on Class of 2017 dual-threat quarterback Will McBride swiping him away from in-state foe Memphis.
McBride’s ascension atop recruiting boards has been a wild ride. The 6-1, 190 pound, gunslinger started popping up on boards after a breakout junior campaign where he threw for 2,166 yards with 23 touchdowns against six picks against Texas competition. He added 428 yards on the ground with 12 more scores for Clear Springs High School becoming a dual-threat on the field.
SMU was among the first to recruit McBride landing an early commitment. During the off-season, McBride’s recruiting heated up leading to a parting of ways with the Mustangs in favor of the Memphis Tigers (June 23). McBride went on to have a solid senior season completing 129-of-223 passes for 2,032 yards with 23 touchdowns against four picks while carrying the rock 80 times for 359 additional yards with two more scores on the board.
The Volunteers started getting heavily into the mix in late November/early December. By Dec. 8, Tennessee had offered, one day before McBride departed for his official to Memphis. McBride split his visit over the weekend officially visiting Knoxville on Sunday. By Tuesday McBride was no longer part of the Tigers 2017 class and part of the Vols.
McBride posted a statement about his commitment on Twitter:
247Sports rates the Vols 2017 class No. 11 in the country, No. 6 in the SEC. Rivals ranks the haul No. 9 in the nation.
Three-star South Carolina defensive end Tre Lawson decommitted on Tuesday clearing a path for McBride’s commitment. The Volunteers have had 12 decommitments thus far dating back to North Carolina three-star defensive tackle Jordon Riley’s change of heart on July 25, 2015.
Tennessee Volunteers 2017 Verbal Commitment List (25)
CB Terrell Bailey, 6-0, 175, John Ehret HS, Marrero, LA
CB Cheyenne Labruzza, 5-11, 186, Albany HS, Albany, LA
CB Shawn Shamburger, 5-11, 188, Colquitt County, Moultrie, GA
SS Maleik Gray, 6-2, 205, LaVergne HS, LaVergne, TN
SS Jaquan Henderson, 6-1, 205, Newton HS, Covington, GA
SS Theo Jackson, 6-2, 176, Overton HS, Nashville, TN
LB Will Ignont, 6-2, 230, Buckhorn HS, New Market, AL
LB Solon Page III, 6-1.5, 192, Kell HS, Marietta, GA
LB Shanon Reid, 6-1.5, 205, Dunbar HS, Fort Myers, FL
DE LaTrell Bumphus, 6-3.5, 232, Hardin County, Savannah, TN
DE Deandre Johnson, 6-3, 239, Miami Southridge, Miami, FL
DT Kivon Bennett, 6-3, 265, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
DT Eric Crosby, 6-1, 285, Ocean Lakes HS, Virginia Beach, VA
OT K’Rojhn Calbert, 6-5, 290, Warren County HS, McMinnville, TN
OT Trey Smith, 6-5.5, 310, Univ. School of Jackson, Jackson, TN
OG Riley Locklear, 6-5, 290, Spring Valley HS, Huntington, WV
TE James Brown, 6-4, 218, Jones HS, Orlando, FL
RB Ty Chandler, 5-11.5, 195, Montgomery Bell, Nashville, TN
QB Will McBride, 6-1, 190, Clear Springs, League City, TX
WR/OLB Marquez Bembry, 6-3, 214, Mount Vernon Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA
WR Princeton Fant, 6-2, 208, LaVergne HS, LaVergne, TN
WR Jacquez Jones, 5-11, 165, Clearwater HS, Clearwater, FL
WR Jordan Murphy, 6-1, 168, Hattiesburg HS, Hattiesburg, MS
ATH Trey Coleman, 5-11, 203, West Monroe HS, West Monroe, LA
K Brent Cimaglia, 6-0, 215, Fred J Page HS, Franklin, TN
Photo credit: Twitter.com; Will McBride (center) and family with Butch Jones (front-right).