Vols commitment Scurry could be among best of Independence receivers

Independence sophomore Kendrell Scurry isn’t there yet, but Eagles coach Scott Blade believes that he has the potential to be among the top wide receivers to come through the Williamson County high school.

Independence sophomore wide receiver Kendrell Scurry

That’s particularly high praise considering the number of talented pass catchers Independence has produced in recent years, including Michigan’s Nate Johnson, Tennessee’s Rashaan Gaulden and California’s Vic Wharton.

“His ceiling is extremely high,” Blade said. “He’s nowhere near his potential right now, and he’s just going to get better and better. We anticipate him contributing a lot this year, possibly starting and potentially being one of the best receivers to ever come out of here when it’s all said and done.”

Apparently Blade isn’t the only who thinks so, either.

“He played in some 7-on-7s up in Knoxville and I guess caught the attention of some people up there,” Blade said. “They realized he was an upcoming sophomore and wanted to get on his recruiting radar early. That’s kind of how it goes.”

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Scurry, who was offered by Tennessee and Toledo this offseason, committed to the Vols last month despite not yet playing a down on the varsity level.

“When people say, ‘You’ve only played freshman ball,’ or ‘You haven’t played varsity,’ all I have to say is I was playing behind the number one receiver in the state,” Scurry said. “I’m pretty sure that any receiver in Tennessee would play behind Nate Johnson.”

In addition to Johnson, 2016 graduates Seth Huner, Pierre Watkins and Adam Swayze have also moved on, giving Scurry the chance to prove himself on the field this fall.

“He’ll have an opportunity,” Blade said. “He’s right there, we’re just looking for a little bit more consistency with him. But he’s getting better every day in practice.”

Scurry is the third non-senior football player in Middle Tennessee to commit to an Southeastern Conference school, joining Franklin offensive lineman Max Wray (Georgia) and Coffee County junior athlete Alontae Taylor (Tennessee).

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Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.