Darrington Sentimore Commits To Tennessee Volunteers

Darrington Sentimore has committed to the Tennessee Volunteers, per Rocky Top Talk. And after a horrific morning for Tennessee that saw the Vols lose two likely starters in JUCO recruits Otis and Damien Jacobs, the Sentimore news could not have come at a better time.

Sentimore is a 6'3", 275-pound defensive linemen, capable of playing both tackle (3-tech) and end in different schemes. He was very good coming out of high school, and this is an important pickup for the Volunteers, as Tennessee's defensive line is rather thin. Sentimore held multiple SEC offers.

Recruiting expert Brad Shepard of Rocky Top Talk explains the impact of Sentimore's commitment, and where the Vols can go from here to still land a top defensive line class:

The scoop on Sentimore is UT has been fighting for that commitment for a long time. Alabama wanted him back, LSU, Texas and Miami tried to get him to visit, but Sentimore has been focused on UT, Texas A&M and Mississippi State for a while now. The Vols were thought to be the leader, but he has been so quiet through the recruiting process that it was up in the air. He immediately gives the Vols a versatile weapon on the defensive line who could play as a jumbo defensive end or replace Malik Jackson as UT's big, athletic defensive tackle.

It was unclear in the first place why Sentimore transferred from UA. After playing as a true freshman for Alabama and being firmly in the mix for playing time this year, he had been suspended indefinitely by Nick Saban before transferring to Gulf Coast Community College. Rumors were everything from grades to behavioral issues, and Sentimore is so quiet that it wasn't talked about much. But the Vols are banking on that year of JUCO maturing the beast defensive lineman a lot. He was in no trouble at all this year and had a standout season. The Vols will expect Sentimore to come in and compete for playing time immediately.

The Vols should immediately extend an offer to Humboldt, Tenn., DT Tevin Bryson, who recently has picked up offers from Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Ole Miss and others. His stock is rising, and the Vols now have an additional spot with the departure of Jacobs and Autry's signing with Mississippi State. The Vols are also still trying with high school DTs Davlin Tomlinson, Vinnie Valentine, Koren Kirven and Justin Shanks. Now, the focus needs to turn to Bryson and especially massive JUCO DT Daniel McCullers, who favored Alabama, but the Tide appears that it won't have room to take him. If UT can somehow close with McCullers, Sentimore, Bryson, Danny O'Brien, Trent Taylor and LaTroy Lewis, that would still be one of the best defensive lineman hauls at UT in recent memory.

Volunteer fans are lucky to have such a great, free recruiting resource in Rocky Top Talk.

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