Tyler Baron, a top-150 football prospect, transfers from Ensworth to Knoxville Catholic

Tyler Baron's high school career at Ensworth has ended.

Next up? A year at Knoxville Catholic.

Baron, a four-star prospect and No. 8 recruit in the state according to the 247Sports Composite, began school at Knoxville Catholic on Tuesday, Catholic coach Steve Matthews confirmed to the USA Today Network - Tennessee.

Baron, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound junior, is the son of Patrick Abernathy, who has the title of player development on the Vols football coaching staff.

"I don't know him real well," Matthews said of Baron. "I think he'll fit in well with us."

Baron played defensive end and tight end at Ensworth a year ago. He's rated the No. 7 strong side defensive end in the country and No. 125 prospect overall.

"He's a big-time prospect," Matthews said. "He's got all of the tools that you are looking for."

Matthews said Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley visited Catholic on Tuesday and made offers to both Baron and offensive lineman Bryn Tucker, who is the No. 3 prospect in the state.

"He was raving about both of them," Matthews said.

Catholic, which reached the Class 5A state semifinals in 2018, will join Division II next season and will be in Class AAA competing against Ensworth, which went 7-5 a year ago.

Baron had 44 tackles with 10.5 for loss in 2018. He also had 2.5 sacks.

Baron has 19 offers, including from Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Tennessee. Alabama coach Nick Saban recently visited Ensworth to discuss Baron with the Tigers' coaching staff.

Baron is the second Nashville area football standout to move to Catholic. Franklin wide receiver Chancellor Bright also recently transferred to the school.

Bright, a 6-1, 180-pound junior, is a three-star prospect and No. 16 prospect in the state according to the 247Sports Composite. He has offers from Arkansas and Louisville.

Bright had 30 catches for 543 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.