Head coach Jeremy Pruitt has added another talented blue chip prospect to his defensive backfield today. Keshawn Lawrence of Ensworth (Nashville, TN) high school has officially signed on the dotted line to play for the Tennessee Volunteers. Lawrence is a four star recruit per the 247Sports Composite. He ranks as the number one prospect in the state of Tennessee and the number 4 overall player at his position. The Vols fended off 23 competing offers for the elite in-state talent, including the likes of Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State. Anytime you can sign a recruit coveted by all the competitors in the current playoff field, you have reason to be excited. Keshawn Lawrence is currently the highest ranked player in the Tennessee 2020 recruiting class.
Prospect Overview
Keshawn Lawrence is a long, athletic player at safety. While his natural position is safety, he has played cornerback in his high school career. This versatility shows his above average coverage skill for the safety position. He is also comfortable with the ball in his hands, and has above average ball skills for a safety. Versatility is the name of the game for the talented in-state prospect. He has the ability to be a ball-hawking safety with a nose for the football. In his senior season, he finished the year with 41 solo and 11 assisted tackles including 5.5 tackles for loss, per MaxPreps stats. He is not afraid to get involved with the run game, and has an imposing frame for a defensive back. Lawrence committed to Tennessee during a recruiting hot streak for the Vols back in June.
Projection For Keshawn Lawrence at Tennessee
If Jeremy Pruitt could build a prototype defender for his Tennessee defense, none may fit better than Keshawn Lawrence. Lawrence is a model of the versatility Pruitt and defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley value in their players. He has an adaptable frame that could be suited for a variety of positions at 6-1 and 197 pounds. While still best suited to become an elite safety in the SEC, he could work at a number of positions. He has shown great ball tracking skills, and played some receiver in high school. With his solid speed and acceleration, he could also be a corner if needed. Still, his nose for the football and ability to take on blockers translate well to strong safety.
Tennessee has some options at safety next year, including Jaylen “Tank” McCollough, Trevon Flowers, and Theo Jackson. They will lose experienced senior Nigel Warrior to the graduation. While Lawrence has some incumbent competition to fend off, he does seem to fit the measurables for the position better than most on the current roster. He has an outside chance to see playing time as early as 2020. Regardless, he will be a cornerstone of this 2020 recruiting class.
