The situation: Tennessee lost one of its top commitments in the 2019 class when four-star defensive back Adonis Otey backed off his pledge earlier this week. Otey had been committed for a few months, but coming off a strong camp season and an impressive showing at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas, his stock is on the rise. With several new programs entering the mix, Otey elected to back off his commitment so he could take other visits and enjoy the recruiting process.
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Local reaction: “With it being so early in the process, it's hard to say this is a huge deal right now. The decommitment hurts Tennessee's 2019 class, but Otey didn't shut the door on the Vols for the future. Again, there's plenty of time to court the four-star corner. Otey committed to Tennessee on a bit of a whim this spring, so his decision to reopen his recruitment isn't a shock. Otey is friends with other top 2019 UT targets like wideout Trey Knox and end Joseph Anderson, so the Vols aren't going to just punt on the in-state defensive back even though he backed off his original pledge.” – Jesse Simonton, Volquest.com
Sting Factor: 3
Regional reaction: “Otey’s stock is on the rise, so losing his commitment certainly isn’t good, but any time a player commits so early in his high school career, it’s not a surprise to see him back away to take another look. The Vols have re-focused their efforts on keeping top talent in state, and it’s paying major dividends in the class of 2018, so Otey is someone they will have to stay on to get back in the fold before Signing Day 2019.” – Rivals.com Southeast analyst Woody Wommack
Sting factor: 4
National reaction: “It's never good to lose an in-state commitment, and especially one with Otey's abilities, but the sting factor on this one has to be relatively low - for now. Otey admits he's a local kid and that the Vols are still going to be heavily involved in his recruitment. He just doesn't feel comfortable taking visits and listening to other programs while committed. That's understandable and commendable. Defensive back powerhouses like Florida, Florida State and LSU are getting involved, though, and that could be worrisome. Still, if Tennessee has a good season and continues to pursue Otey, it should be right in the mix until the end." – Rivals.com National Analyst Adam Gorney
Sting factor: 5
Total sting score: 4
What happens now: Several schools want to see Otey on campus in the coming months, including LSU, Florida, Florida State and others. Look for the Tigers to emerge as the Vols' main competition, especially considering the school’s success in the state in recent years. Tennessee still remains the favorite to land Otey in the long run, but there will be plenty of twists and turns in his recruitment until then.
