Why Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel still prioritizes high school recruiting

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel doesn’t have to make trips to Nashville area high school football programs.

He wants to.

While college football coaches are increasingly tapping into the transfer portal to build championship rosters, Heupel said during the Big Orange Caravan on April 29 that high school recruits are vital — including the ones around Nashville.

That area has been good to the Vols, with 11 players from Middle Tennessee on Heupel’s current roster.

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Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville

Tennessee men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes speaks with football coach Josh Heupel and women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Tennessee fans attend the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

“Voice Of The Vols” Mike Keith moderates the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Tennessee men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

“Voice Of The Vols” Mike Keith speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Tennessee athletic director Danny White speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel greets fans during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Tennessee athletic director Danny White speaks to reporters before the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell speaks to reporters before the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks to reporters before the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

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“The portal’s a way to supplement your roster. I don’t think you can just strictly build it that way,” Heupel said before the event at Marathon Music Works. “That’s guys in your system developing that way, leadership, all those things. The two have to merge together. This year we’ve had more kids in the portal than we typically have. I think that depends where your roster’s at, where you’re going to lean a little bit.”

Tennessee’s in-state recruiting bottomed out following former coach Jeremy Pruitt’s dismissal in 2021. The Vols signed just one top-10 prospect from the state in the 2021 and 2022 classes combined as the program dealt with questions related to NCAA infractions committed during Pruitt’s regime.

Heupel instituted a complete turnaround in that department.

Former Middle Tennessee prospects are filling crucial spots for the Vols. That includes their potential starter at quarterback for 2026 with redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, a former Brentwood Academy star, competing with five-star freshman Faizon Brandon for the job.

Tennessee All-SEC linebacker Arion Carter was a sleeper 2023 recruit from Smyrna who emerged late in his high school career and Heupel’s staff secured him. Former Lipscomb Academy linebacker Edwin Spillman was Tennessee’s leading tackler last season.

Nashville area high school prospects on the Vols’ roster include MacIntyre, Carter, Spillman, offensive lineman Jesse Perry (MTCS); defensive back Luke Thompson (Franklin); defensive lineman Zach Groves (East Robertson); offensive lineman Kamari Blair (Kirkwood); running back Daune Morris (Oakland); defensive tackle Ethan Utley (Ensworth); defensive back Jackson Mathews (CPA); and safety Joel Wyatt (Oakland).

MacIntyre was arguably the most heralded of that group. He was rated as high as a five-star prospect at BA in the 2024 recruiting class, completing 187 of 286 passes for 2,723 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions as a senior while being selected as a Mr. Football finalist.

Heupel and Tennessee beat out the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan and Oregon for MacIntyre.

“I think at the quarterback position when guys come in, they understand there’s growth that has to happen,” Heupel said. “Physically maturing, mentally continuing to grow — that’s inside the game and adjusting to college life. George took advantage of his first year and has continued to grow, continued to put size on his frame. And he’s grown a bunch as a quarterback. He’s handled the process really well.”

Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.

He also contributes to The Tennessean’s high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel values high school recruiting

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