Linebacker Chris Weatherd burst onto the recruiting scene in May when he started tweeting about Tennessee. The Vol staff evaluated him in person and when they offered him on May 31st, he committed on the spot. Vol defensive coordinator John Jancek and linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen have served as his recruiters.

A relative unknown at the time, Weatherd’s stock soared after committed to Tennessee. He has since picked up offers from multiple SEC programs but has stayed true to his commitment.

“I’m not paying attention to them (other schools). They can call me and we can have conversations but at the end of the day I’m all Tennessee. There’s absolutely no way I’m going anywhere else,” Weatherd said on The Dave Hooker Show.

Though he originally planned on enrolling early, he fell just short academically and will enroll this summer.

The Vols return just five scholarship linebackers and have to replace starting outside linebackers Dontavis Sapp and Brent Brewer. When we last spoke, Weatherd told me his strengths are “speed, speed, and more speed.” Weatherd has the skills, speed, and strength to earn serious early playing time. Don’t be surprised if he’s in the starting lineup when the Vols take the field this fall.

The Basics: Rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals, 247Sports, Scout, and ESPN, Chris Weatherd is a 6-4, 225 pound outside linebacker from Athens, Texas (Trinity Community College). 247Sports ranks Weatherd as the No. 28 overall JUCO prospect and as the No. 1 JUCO outside linebacker in the nation. He will have three years to play out his final two seasons of eligibility once he arrives in Knoxville. He chose the Vols over Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and a others.

Fun Facts: In one interview, Weatherd told me enjoys playing the piano and does so entirely by ear. He also gets regular pedicures, “I have to take care of my feet.”

Scouting Reports: “An every down linebacker, Weatherd has a good drop step in pass coverage, and he excels at planting his foot and exploding forward to attack the quarterback on rollouts. He is quick off the edge and has excellent straight line speed. A force against the pass with his ability to blitz, drop into coverage, and close on a ball carrier.” – Scott Kennedy

“Big, physical linebacker prospect who can disrupt and make plays inside or out. Lines up at end but projects as an OLB at the next level and may really excel in a hybrid “Jack” type of pass rusher role at the next level. Can get the edge and close as a pass rusher. Will lock-out and hold his ground as a run supporter or beat blockers to the point with first step quickness…Explosive linebacker with hybrid skill-set. Plays the game fast and physical and should find a disruptive role at the next level. We like his future production on special teams as well.” – ESPN.com

Highlights: