Tennessee put the entire college football world on notice yesterday with a huge win over Alabama. South Carolina native Jalin Hyatt played a major role in the upset win, logging more than 200 receiving yards on six catches and scoring five touchdowns. Today, the Vols landed another big time receiver from the Palmetto State in 2024 Rivals250 prospect Mazeo Bennett. The Greenville, S.C. star chose Tennessee over South Carolina, Florida State, Alabama, Oregon, North Carolina, Georgia, and Miami.
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
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IN HIS OWN WORDS...
"When we went up there the atmosphere was absolutely amazing," said Bennett's father, Mazeo Bennett Sr. "The coaching staff was great. He sees himself thriving in that offense. That offensive is electric. They get the ball out to a lot of people and that's what he wanted.
"We saw how fast they play and the crowd is always in it," he said. "On game day, the coaches are on different a level. They're amped up and get everybody ready. Last night watching the game, they were engaged and they were tough. They just played tough football.
"They really concentrated on him," said Bennett Sr. "It was all about him when we talked to the coaches. We gave our input but they made everything about him. When we were there for our visit, they channeled in on him and that's what we liked. They showed a lot of attention to him when we were there and the rest is history."
RIVALS REACTION...
Bennett is a great addition for Tennessee as they work to make sure they're stocked with playmakers for incoming five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Tennessee has had plenty of success recruiting the Carolinas over the years but seeing how well Hyatt did for the Vols last night has to give Tennessee fans confidence in what Bennett is capable of at the next level.
Bennett may not be a burner like Hyatt but he is plenty fast with reliable hands and a knack for finding the end zone. He is a good route runner that knows how to create separation and give quarterbacks a big window to throw into. Bennett isn't the biggest receiver but, at 6-foot 165-pounds, he isn't small either. He is very good when he has the ball in his hands and can make defenders miss in the open field. Look for Bennett to be an active recruiter for the Vols in the 2024 class too. He is just their third commitment in the 2024 class and second Rivals250 prospect after Jonathan Echols.