Jan 2, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Devrin Young (19) and defensive back Brian Randolph (37) and defensive tackle Jordan Williams (54) and defensive back Geraldo Orta (26) celebrate with fans after their 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at EverBank Field. The Tennessee Volunteers beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 45-28. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
The Volunteers gained their 16th commitment of their 2016 recruiting class Saturday with the pledge of Louisiana lineman D'andre Christmas-Giles.
Christmas-Giles is currently rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports Composite ratings. The lineman is somewhat of an unknown commodity in the recruiting ranks after he was forced to sit out his junior season following a transfer.
The latest Tennessee commitment spoke to 247Sports following his decision to give his verbal commit to the Vols.
"They were excited. They were happy," Christmas-Giles said. "They wanted me to plan a visit when I'll come up there. They were excited. (Butch Jones) was fired up. He was happy I was committing. He wants me to be a part of the program."
While Christmas-Giles has yet to visit the Knoxville campus, he plans on making the trip up to see everything Tennessee has to offer this season with an official visit. Christmas-Giles may have been somewhat of an unknown before committing but he's now on everyone's radar and is open to further recruitment from other schools.
"I'm still open for recruitment, but I don't think I'm going to be going on visits and doing all that. But I'm still open for recruitment, talking to a lot of schools," he said.
"It would be hard for me to change my mind."
(h/t 247Sports)
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.