Tennessee needs to land some strong recruits in the next few years or I see a major drop off after DeShields/Russell graduate. Here is their projected lineups for the next few seasons:
2015-16:
C: Mercedes Russell, So
F: Bashaara Graves, Sr
G/F: Diamond DeShields, So
G/F: Jaime Nared, So
G: Andraya Carter, Jr
Bench:
G/F: Jannah Tucker, So
PG :Tea Cooper, Fr
G/F: Jamesha Jackson, Fr
G: Jordan Reynolds, Jr
C: Nia Moore, Sr
G: Alexa Middleton, So
F: Jasmine Jones, Sr
G/F: Kourtney Dunbar, So
2016-17:
C: Mercedes Russell, Jr
G/F: Diamond DeShields, Jr
G/F: Jaime Nared, Jr
G: Andraya Carter, Sr
PG :Tea Cooper, So
Bench:
G/F: Jamesha Jackson, So
G/F: Jannah Tucker, Jr
G: Jordan Reynolds, Sr
G: Alexa Middleton, Jr
G/F: Kourtney Dunbar, Jr
2017-18:
C: Mercedes Russell, Sr
G/F: Diamond DeShields, Sr
G/F: Jaime Nared, Sr
G/F: Jannah Tucker, Sr
PG :Tea Cooper, Jr
Bench:
G/F: Jamesha Jackson, Jr
G: Alexa Middleton, Sr
G/F: Kourtney Dunbar, Sr
Here's the scary thing for Tennessee--if everyone completes their eligibility at Tennessee (which I do see happening for everyone besides maybe DeShields), Tennessee will be losing 6 seniors after the 2017-18 seasons. Including 4 players who were Hoopgurlz Top 10 Recruits in 2013 or 2014. In the past, after Tennessee has lost monstrous classes (6-pack and their 2008 class), they went on to have rough seasons the following year (although one could argue that Tennessee did greatly overachieve in 2012-13 based on preseason expectations.) 2018-19 is setting up to be the same way, and landing these 2 would have been huge for absorbing the loss of those 6 players. That said, there is still a ton of talent out there for 2016 (Cox/Holmes/McCoy/Johnson for posts), 2017 and 2018....but those were two players that traditionally had been "gimme recruits" for Tennessee that they'll miss out on.