Head coach Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers have some ground to make up in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
The Vols signed the nation’s No. 12 class (Rivals) in 2025 after posting a 10-3 season with the first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. That class tied for the highest recruiting finish in four years under Heupel’s leadership.
Looking ahead to the 2026 cycle, Tennessee is largely flying under the radar with only seven commitments to date. The group is headlined by five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon and four-star wide receiver Tyreek King.
Heupel and Co. received some good news from King, the No. 1 ranked slot receiver (Rivals), on Monday after battling off other major programs.
King (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) plays for Knoxville (Tennessee) Catholic. He hauled in 49 passes for 1,062 yards with 14 touchdowns and added a score as a punt returner as a junior last season, per MaxPreps.
Other programs threw their hats in the ring for the Tennessee commit with scholarships this year, including Florida State, USC and Texas, among others.
However, King has shut down his recruitment in favor of the Vols, reaffirming his pledge from October.
“Tennessee’s culture is something I want to be a part of,” he said via On3. “Best fit for me and knowing I’m for sure gonna develop. No place like the VOLS. BEEN HOME!!!”
🏠 https://t.co/wcJt6GKAgz
— Tyreek King (@Tyreekking15) May 12, 2025
The update from King aside, Tennessee is notably in the running for some of the top uncommitted players in the class
Four-star Savion Hiter, the No. 2 running back, is worth a mention. The Mineral, Virginia, native is down to the Vols, Georgia, Michigan and Ohio State.
Additionally, Tennessee is among the favorites for four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse out of Marietta, Georgia. Rouse is also considering Alabama, Michigan and Texas.
Related: Nation’s No. 1 CB Reveals His Top School Ahead Of Key Recruiting Visits
Related: No. 1 QB Jared Curtis’ Massive Commitment Shakes Up Recruiting Rankings
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