Tennessee Secures Desired 4-Star RB Ty Chandler
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Volunteers 2017 recruiting class was essentially set on Monday when desired in-state four-star running back Ty Chandler committed to Tennessee.
Chandler has been on national recruiting boards over the past two seasons after rushing for 1,348 yards with 22 scores during his sophomore year and another 2,558 yards with 31 more trips to the end zone during the 2015 schedule. Chandler’s all-purpose nature was also highlighted in the passing game pulling in 12 passes for 225 yards with four scores over the past two seasons. The 5-11.5, 195 pound, speedster was also a standout on special teams returning nine kickoffs back for 425 yards with a 99-yard return on his highlight reel last season.
As Chandler was helping Montgomery Bell Academy to an 11-2 mark in 2015, college recruiters started taking the process seriously with a reported 15 schools dropping offers. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl invitee picked Tennessee over offers from USC, Ohio State, Duke, Auburn, South Carolina, Notre Dame, LSU, Nebraska, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and backyard home team Vanderbilt.
The Tennessee faithful learned about Chandler’s commitment via Twitter with a post reading, “Blessed to say I’m officially committed to the University of Tennessee #GBO #VFL.”
The Volunteers now have 24 commitments to their 2017 class. Much of the focus has been placed on the skill and athletic positions on both sides of the ball. The secondary has five incoming players and the wide receiver crops has at least four. The defensive front has six commits occupying another big part of the class. Chandler is the lone running back commit.
Tennessee Volunteers 2017 Verbal Commitment List (24)
CB CJ Cotman, 5-11, 180, Central Catholic, Clearwater, FL
CB Cheyenne Labruzza, 5-11, 186, Albany HS, Albany, LA
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 De’Morreal “Mo” Burnam, 6-3, 218, Salem HS, Conyers, GA
LB Solon Page III, 6-1.5, 192, Kell HS, Marietta, GA
DE LaTrell Bumphus, 6-3.5, 232, Hardin County, Savannah, TN
DE Tre Lawson, 6-6, 247, North Augusta HS, North Augusta, SC
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
DT Brandon Gaddy, 6-5, 289, Sullivan Catholic, Virginia Beach, VA
DT Breyon Gaddy, 6-5, 335, Sullivan Catholic, Virginia Beach, VA
OL Riley Locklear, 6-5, 290, Spring Valley HS, Huntington, WV
OT Jordan Tucker, 6-7, 335, Roswell HS, Roswell, GA
TE Chase Rogers, 6-2.5, 230, St. Stanislaus HS, Bay St. Louis, MS
RB Ty Chandler, 5-11.5, 195, Montgomery Bell, Nashville, TN
QB CJ Lewis, 6-3.5, 205, Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, CT
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: usatodayhss.com; No. 33 Ty Chandler drags a defender along with him down field.