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One of the state’s top 2025 prospects is getting closer to a college decision. Ensworth defensive lineman Ethan Utley announced a top five of Michigan, Oklahoma, Syracuse, Tennessee and Texas on Christmas Day.
Utley is ranked as a consensus four-star prospect by each of the major recruiting outlets.
Per the On3 Consensus Ranking, Utley is ranked as the No. 102 player in the 2025 class, the No. 12 defensive lineman and No. 4 player in Tennessee. On3 ranks him the highest of the four outlets at No. 43 in the country, the No. 7 defensive lineman and No. 2 player in Tennessee.
ESPN has the second-highest grade on Utley ranking him at No. 118 nationally, the No. 9 defensive lineman and No. 4 player in the state. Rivals ranks Utley as the No. 161 player nationally, the No. 10 defensive lineman and No. 5 player in the state.
247Sports ranks Utley at No. 186 nationally, the No. 17 defensive lineman and No. 5 player in Tennessee.
Utley played on both sides of the ball last season but did most of his damage on defense. He finished his junior season racking up 35.5 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, three pass breakups and two sacks.
Utley explains his final five
Utley gave 615 Preps a brief explanation of why each of the five schools made his cut.
Michigan: “The history and tradition at Michigan speaks for itself. I love the team culture up there and the joy that the coaches approach everything with in all aspects.”
Oklahoma: “The energy and experience on the defensive side that Coach V, (Todd) Bates and (Miguel) Chavis bring to the table is remarkable. Oklahoma beating Texas early in the season shows that the program is headed in the right direction.”
Syracuse: “Coach (Elijah) Robinson and Coach (Nick) Williams are one of the best 1-2 punches in the country. I’m excited about the future for Syracuse and where they land in all of this.”
Tennessee: “The relationship I have been building up there leading up to this point has been exactly what you look for in a recruiting process.”
Texas: “Texas is the IT team in Texas and my relationship with Coach Bo and Coach Sark has been nothing but genuine. Coach Bo’s production rate from college to the NFL is unbelievable.:
