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Vols Football: Ranking Butch Jones’ First Four Recruiting Classes

By Zach Ragan

Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones looks on during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones looks on during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) runs the ball against the Ohio Bobcats during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 28 to 19. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

2014 Class

Score: 11.4

Top players: Derek Barnett, Josh Malone, Jashon Robertson

Biggest surprise: Emmanuel Moseley, Evan Berry

Biggest disappointments: Dillon Bates, Dontavius Blair

The only surprise here is how close the score was between the 2014 class and the 2013 class.

Of course the biggest reason for the close score is because the 2014 class has lost 11 players so far.

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Most notably among those who left are Jalen Hurd and Vic Wharton, two of Jones’ earliest commits to the class.

The 2014 class, however, will most likely be remembered for guys like Derek Barnett, Josh Malone, Todd Kelly, and Evan Berry, among others.

Barnett, as you know, broke Reggie White’s career Vol sack record in Tennessee’s bowl win against Nebraska this season.

Unfortunately for the Vols, Barnett, along with Josh Malone, decided to declare for the upcoming NFL Draft.

There have been ton of solid contributors in the 2014 class. A lot of those contributors don’t get the headlines, but they’ve had a key part in Tennessee’s success.

Guys like Ethan Wolf, Jashon Robertson, Emmanuel Moseley, and Cortez McDowell. The Vols wouldn’t have won nine games in back to back seasons without their contributions.

Next: Five Candidates To Replace Vols OL Coach Don Mahoney

I’m sure the way we view these classes, especially the 2015 and 2016 classes, will change over the next couple of years. But for now, this is how they stack up against each other.

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