Tennessee had a Top Ten recruiting class in 2023 under Josh Heupel, and they currently have a Top Ten class for 2024. Along with the states Tennessee has traditionally recruited well, the Vols have been successful recruiting the state of Missouri under Heupel. In the 2023 class, the Vols landed five star prospect Chadavian Bradley from the Show Me State, and Tennessee added to their 2024 class with four star edge rusher Kellen Lindstrom from Glendale High School in Springfield, Missouri.
Tale of the Tape
Lindstrom has the ideal build for a top flight edge rusher in the SEC. He is 6’5” and 240 pounds, with a frame that can hold more muscle as it is developed at the next level. Lindstrom has solid speed and strength for an edge rusher of his caliber, though neither is overwhelming. It is worth noting that Lindstrom does fire out of his stance a flash an exceptional first step.
Film Room
On film, Lindstrom shows that his versatility contributes significantly to his status as an elite edge player. Rushing the passer, Lindstrom can attack an offensive tackle’s inside or outside shoulder equally well. He often sets up in a wide alignment in relation to the tackle, which normally tips a speed rush. Lindstrom can take the outside shoulder and can turn the corner on tackles to get to the quarterback. However, he can also use that explosive first step to explode into the tackle, driving him back with a bull rush. In a more traditional alignment, Lindstrom likes to create contact with tackles or tight ends, closing first, then ripping inside or outside to get in the backfield. 
Against the run, Lindstrom shows his ability to shoot gaps and stop run plays with penetration. Lindstrom consistently proves to be a stout run defender, able to shoot a gap, set an edge, or run a play down from behind. It is worth nothing that Lindstrom lines up as a linebacker at times for Glendale, and that shows up in his pursuit in the run game. Lindstrom moves like a linebacker, and plays well through trash to get to a ball carrier. He is also a violent tackler, while remaining sound.
Areas for Improvement
Lindstrom shows a solid game on film. He is a good pass rusher, a good run defender, a good tackler, has good speed, and good strength. Lindstrom is a complete player at the edge position with few holes in his game. However, looking at his junior film, he doesn’t leap off the field as great at anything outside his first step. The primary areas Lindstrom can look to improve are:
- Improved use of hands.
- Adding additional pass rush moves.
- Learning to create space on a tackle.
- Developing additional ways to rip blocker’s hands.
Future Prediction
Lindstrom fits the edge role in the Tennessee defense perfectly in terms of his build. Expect to see Strength and Conditioning Coach Kurt Schmidt pack additional muscle onto Lindstrom’s frame while increasing his already impressive upper body strength. In terms of adding pass rush moves and the finer points of playing on a defensive line, Tennessee Defensive Line Coach Rodney Garner is possibly the best developer and teacher of defensive linemen in the entire country. Garner will get the most out of Lindstrom, and his track record shows that Garner can make Lindstrom into an NFL prospect.
Final Assessment
Kellen Lindstrom is unlikely to be a starter for Tennessee when the 2024 season rolls around, but he is likely to factor into the rotation for the Vols. Lindstrom brings the tools to be prepared to contribute early. Time under Rodney Garner is going to benefit Lindstrom, as the areas he needs to develop are the areas Garner has made his reputation teaching. Expect to see physical and technical development of Lindstrom in his time in Knoxville into a significant contributor on defense. It may also be worth keeping an eye on Missouri as the Vols pursue some other highly rated prospects in that state. Lindstrom may just be the start for the Vols in 2024 from Missouri, as Josh Heupel is leveraging his connections from his time as the offensive coordinator of the Missouri Tigers to benefit the Vols. You can hear more about the potential prospects in Missouri the Vols are targeting on this week’s Your High School Sports Podcast, released at 7pm Eastern Time on Thursday.
