2026 Board - Heading into February

[jvols1999]

With 2024 game/campus visits and now January 2025 UVs in the books, figured it was a good time to set the 2026 board for going forward. There's a roughly monthlong dead period that extends into early March after next weekend, so the next big visit weekends will come during spring practice. After that there will be Orange Carpet Day 2025, and then OVs.

Therefore this board is just a start and will be added to and further refined. But here's how I see it as of now. I'm sure I've left some guys off so please feel free to let me know.

FWIW, the way this class is currently set with our existing commitments and the degree to which we're already deeply involved with a myriad of elite prospects, IMO there's a real chance we end up in the Top 5 but that the floor is absolutely another Top 10 ranking.

QB
Faizon Brandon (Vol commit)

RB
Savion Hiter
Jonaz Walton
Jae Lamar
Amari Latimer
Tyriq Green (ATH)
Ja'Michael Jones
Carsyn Baker

WR
Tyreek King (Vol commit)
Tyran Evans (Vol commit)
Tristan Keys
Joel Wyatt (ATH)
Travis Johnson
Brody Keefe
Davion Brown
Javonte Smith
Deion Thomas
Ryan Mosley

TE
Carson Sneed (Vol commit)

IOL
Brandon Anderson (Vol commit)
Bear McWhorter
Brock Kolojay (OV 6/20)
Darius Gray
Pupungatoa Gatoa (OV 6/20)
Ekene Ogboko
Desmond Green
Grant Wise
G'Nivre Carr
Keenyi Pepe
Edward Baker

OT
Gabriel Osenda (Vol commit)
Leo Delaney
Emanuel Tucker
John Turntine III
Zyon Guiles
Parker Pritchett
Charles Humphrey
Brody Smith
Sam Greer
Jax Tanner
Kelvin Obot

DL
Tyson Bacon (Vol commit)
Luke Wafle
Keshawn Stancil
Nolan Wilson
Aiden Harris
Carter Luckie
Tahj Overton
Earnest Rankins
Jamarcus Whyce
JJ Finch
Titan Davis
Vodney Cleveland
Emanuel Ruffin

Edge
Rodney Dunham
Zach Groves
Anthony Jones (Vols lead)
Zavion Griffin-Haynes
Kamhariyan Johnson
Elijah Littlejohn
Shaun Scott
Tristian Givens
Katrell Webb
Drew Harris
Hezekiah Harris (AU commit)
Zion Elee (MD commit)
Jordan Carter (A&M commit)
Dre Quinn

LB
Braylon Outlaw (Vol commit)
Braylon Rouse
Kaden Carter
Xavier Griffin (USC commit)
TJ White
Tyler Atkinson
CJ Gamble
Jakore Smith
Rodney Colton
Zach Weeks
Izayah Young
Kedric Golston II
Anthony Davis

CB
Smoke Matthews
Caden Harris
Justin Hopkins
Jordan Edmonds
Elbert Hill
Nick Hankins
Zyan Gibson (Bama commit)

S
Craig Tutt
Jordan Smith
Jireh Edwards
Bralon Womack
Joey O'Brien

 

[Ericvol2096]

Fantastic Post/Thread!

 

[Adam Sandler]

With 2024 game/campus visits and now January 2025 UVs in the books, figured it was a good time to set the 2026 board for going forward. There's a roughly monthlong dead period that extends into early March after next weekend, so the next big visit weekends will come during spring practice. After that there will be Orange Carpet Day 2025, and then OVs.

Therefore this board is just a start and will be added to and further refined. But here's how I see it as of now. I'm sure I've left some guys off so please feel free to let me know.

FWIW, the way this class is currently set with our existing commitments and the degree to which we're already deeply involved with a myriad of elite prospects, IMO there's a real chance we end up in the Top 5 but that the floor is absolutely another Top 10 ranking.

QB
Faizon Brandon (Vol commit)

RB
Savion Hiter
Jonaz Walton
Jae Lamar
Amari Latimer
Tyriq Green (ATH)
Ja'Michael Jones
Carsyn Baker

WR
Tyreek King (Vol commit)
Tyran Evans (Vol commit)
Tristan Keys
Joel Wyatt (ATH)
Travis Johnson
Brody Keefe
Davion Brown
Javonte Smith
Deion Thomas
Ryan Mosley

TE
Carson Sneed (Vol commit)

IOL
Brandon Anderson (Vol commit)
Bear McWhorter
Brock Kolojay (OV 6/20)
Darius Gray
Pupungatoa Gatoa (OV 6/20)
Ekene Ogboko
Desmond Green
Grant Wise
G'Nivre Carr
Keenyi Pepe
Edward Baker

OT
Gabriel Osenda (Vol commit)
Leo Delaney
Emanuel Tucker
John Turntine III
Zyon Guiles
Parker Pritchett
Charles Humphrey
Brody Smith
Sam Greer
Jax Tanner
Kelvin Obot

DL
Tyson Bacon (Vol commit)
Luke Wafle
Keshawn Stancil
Nolan Wilson
Aiden Harris
Carter Luckie
Tahj Overton
Earnest Rankins
Jamarcus Whyce
JJ Finch
Titan Davis
Vodney Cleveland
Emanuel Ruffin

Edge
Rodney Dunham
Zach Groves
Anthony Jones (Vols lead)
Zavion Griffin-Haynes
Kamhariyan Johnson
Elijah Littlejohn
Shaun Scott
Tristian Givens
Katrell Webb
Drew Harris
Hezekiah Harris (AU commit)
Zion Elee (MD commit)
Jordan Carter (A&M commit)
Dre Quinn

LB
Braylon Outlaw (Vol commit)
Braylon Rouse
Kaden Carter
Xavier Griffin (USC commit)
TJ White
Tyler Atkinson
CJ Gamble
Jakore Smith
Rodney Colton
Zach Weeks
Izayah Young
Kedric Golston II
Anthony Davis

CB
Smoke Matthews
Caden Harris
Justin Hopkins
Jordan Edmonds
Elbert Hill
Nick Hankins
Zyan Gibson (Bama commit)

S
Craig Tutt
Jordan Smith
Jireh Edwards
Bralon Womack
Joey O'Brien

Good stuff! Think Pepe is a tackle and Wyatt being recruited as edge. I would also add the tight end Kendra Harrison (Oregon), and Gregory (ath) committed to tamu. And Cortez Redding (ath/s). And kentavion Anderson (s). And nassir McCoy (s).

 

[TrippieRedd]

QB: Faison
RB: Walton
WR: King, Keys, Evans
TE: Sneed
OL:
- OT: Osenda
- OG: Anderson
- OG: Gray
- OG: Kolojay


DL: Bacon, Stancil
Edge: Jones, Groves
LB: Rouse, Outlaw, Colton Jr
Secondary: Harris, Clarke, Tutt

Ath: Wyatt

21. Add 2 more DL and 2 guys in the secondary.

 

[TN Volunteers.]

With 2024 game/campus visits and now January 2025 UVs in the books, figured it was a good time to set the 2026 board for going forward. There's a roughly monthlong dead period that extends into early March after next weekend, so the next big visit weekends will come during spring practice. After that there will be Orange Carpet Day 2025, and then OVs.

Therefore this board is just a start and will be added to and further refined. But here's how I see it as of now. I'm sure I've left some guys off so please feel free to let me know.

FWIW, the way this class is currently set with our existing commitments and the degree to which we're already deeply involved with a myriad of elite prospects, IMO there's a real chance we end up in the Top 5 but that the floor is absolutely another Top 10 ranking.

QB
Faizon Brandon (Vol commit)

RB
Savion Hiter
Jonaz Walton
Jae Lamar
Amari Latimer
Tyriq Green (ATH)
Ja'Michael Jones
Carsyn Baker

WR
Tyreek King (Vol commit)
Tyran Evans (Vol commit)
Tristan Keys
Joel Wyatt (ATH)
Travis Johnson
Brody Keefe
Davion Brown
Javonte Smith
Deion Thomas
Ryan Mosley

TE
Carson Sneed (Vol commit)

IOL
Brandon Anderson (Vol commit)
Bear McWhorter
Brock Kolojay (OV 6/20)
Darius Gray
Pupungatoa Gatoa (OV 6/20)
Ekene Ogboko
Desmond Green
Grant Wise
G'Nivre Carr
Keenyi Pepe
Edward Baker

OT
Gabriel Osenda (Vol commit)
Leo Delaney
Emanuel Tucker
John Turntine III
Zyon Guiles
Parker Pritchett
Charles Humphrey
Brody Smith
Sam Greer
Jax Tanner
Kelvin Obot

DL
Tyson Bacon (Vol commit)
Luke Wafle
Keshawn Stancil
Nolan Wilson
Aiden Harris
Carter Luckie
Tahj Overton
Earnest Rankins
Jamarcus Whyce
JJ Finch
Titan Davis
Vodney Cleveland
Emanuel Ruffin

Edge
Rodney Dunham
Zach Groves
Anthony Jones (Vols lead)
Zavion Griffin-Haynes
Kamhariyan Johnson
Elijah Littlejohn
Shaun Scott
Tristian Givens
Katrell Webb
Drew Harris
Hezekiah Harris (AU commit)
Zion Elee (MD commit)
Jordan Carter (A&M commit)
Dre Quinn

LB
Braylon Outlaw (Vol commit)
Braylon Rouse
Kaden Carter
Xavier Griffin (USC commit)
TJ White
Tyler Atkinson
CJ Gamble
Jakore Smith
Rodney Colton
Zach Weeks
Izayah Young
Kedric Golston II
Anthony Davis

CB
Smoke Matthews
Caden Harris
Justin Hopkins
Jordan Edmonds
Elbert Hill
Nick Hankins
Zyan Gibson (Bama commit)

S
Craig Tutt
Jordan Smith
Jireh Edwards
Bralon Womack
Joey O'Brien

It would be great if we had the number 1 qb and 1 wr commit

 

[Jackcrevol]

We have the opportunity to get the top dude at the DE, LB, WR and a Wafle.

 

[TrippieRedd]

We have the opportunity to get the top dude at the DE, LB, WR and a Wafle.

Keys, I believe

Dunham, I can see if he’s wanting to play baseball as well and TV offers him. Top 300 baseball player apparently. Being a pitcher is much easier transition than playing a position and working on your swing.


Atkinson, I don’t see it.

 

[jvols1999]

Keys, I believe

Dunham, I can see if he’s wanting to play baseball as well and TV offers him. Top 300 baseball player apparently. Being a pitcher is much easier transition than playing a position and working on your swing.


Atkinson, I don’t see it.

I’m confident we lead for Dunham

 

[NighthawkVol]

QB: Faison
RB: Walton
WR: King, Keys, Evans
TE: Sneed
OL:
- OT: Osenda
- OG: Anderson
- OG: Gray
- OG: Kolojay


DL: Bacon, Stancil
Edge: Jones, Groves
LB: Rouse, Outlaw, Colton Jr
Secondary: Harris, Clarke, Tutt

Ath: Wyatt

21. Add 2 more DL and 2 guys in the secondary.

I got:

QB- Faizon Brandon
RB- Savion Hiter
WR- Tyreek King, Tyran Evans, Tristen Keys
TE- Carson Snead
OL- Darius Gray, Gabriel Osenda, Brandon Anderson
DL- Tyson Bacon, Keshawn Stancil
EDGE- Rodney Dunham, Zach Groves, Joel Wyatt
LB- Brayden Rouse, Kaden Carter, Braylon Outlaw
CB- Samari Matthews, Caden Harris, Justin Hopkins
S- Craig Tutt, Andre Clarke

22. Add another DL and OT.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I’m confident we lead for Dunham

That seems to be the consensus opinion.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Hasn’t it been stated we’re recruiting Joel Wyatt as an Edge, not receiver?

 

[OrangeMoundTNVol]

I got:

QB- Faizon Brandon
RB- Savion Hiter
WR- Tyreek King, Tyran Evans, Tristen Keys
TE- Carson Snead
OL- Darius Gray, Gabriel Osenda, Brandon Anderson
DL- Tyson Bacon, Keshawn Stancil
EDGE- Rodney Dunham, Zach Groves, Joel Wyatt
LB- Brayden Rouse, Kaden Carter, Braylon Outlaw
CB- Samari Matthews, Caden Harris, Justin Hopkins
S- Craig Tutt, Andre Clarke

22. Add another DL and OT.

Going to be hard to snag Smoke Matthews from Clemson IMO. Hope we pull it off though

 

[OrangeMoundTNVol]

Hasn’t it been stated we’re recruiting Joel Wyatt as an Edge, not receiver?

Yep, I’m still hoping he’s a safety but yeah the consensus seems to be edge.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I got:

QB- Faizon Brandon
RB- Savion Hiter
WR- Tyreek King, Tyran Evans, Tristen Keys
TE- Carson Snead
OL- Darius Gray, Gabriel Osenda, Brandon Anderson
DL- Tyson Bacon, Keshawn Stancil
EDGE- Rodney Dunham, Zach Groves, Joel Wyatt
LB- Brayden Rouse, Kaden Carter, Braylon Outlaw
CB- Samari Matthews, Caden Harris, Justin Hopkins
S- Craig Tutt, Andre Clarke

22. Add another DL and OT.

I’d be fine with this as well!

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Hopefully several big time athletes @ safety. Some balllhawks and some thumpers..

 

[Adam Sandler]

Keys, I believe

Dunham, I can see if he’s wanting to play baseball as well and TV offers him. Top 300 baseball player apparently. Being a pitcher is much easier transition than playing a position and working on your swing.


Atkinson, I don’t see it.

Seems like main competition for Atkinson is OSU and UGA. That said, I’m more optimistic than others. He’s got a close relationship with Huepel and I think we were his first offer, no?

 

[TrippieRedd]

Seems like main competition for Atkinson is OSU and UGA. That said, I’m more optimistic than others. He’s got a close relationship with Huepel and I think we were his first offer, no?

First offer usually doesn’t mean anything…

I know it’s worked a few times in the past..one name that comes to mind is Marquil Osbourne we were his first offer and he mentioned that as a big reason.

Anyways, I think the kid goes to UGA.

 

[Adam Sandler]

First offer usually doesn’t mean anything…

I know it’s worked a few times in the past..one name that comes to mind is Marquil Osbourne we were his first offer and he mentioned that as a big reason.

Anyways, I think the kid goes to UGA.

That’s the safe bet for sure

 

[TrippieRedd]

That’s the safe bet for sure

Tbh If we can land Keys and a really good RB, I won’t care how the rest of the class turns out.

I want Faizon to have elite weapons.

 

[Adam Sandler]

Tbh If we can land Keys and a really good RB, I won’t care how the rest of the class turns out.

I want Faizon to have elite weapons.

Calling BS. I care how it turns out. We have real potential of a top 5 class.

 

[MarcoVol]

Calling BS. I care how it turns out. We have real potential of a top 5 class.

Will be ranked 8-12 range and supplement through portal is my guess. Consistently improving on the field.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Calling BS. I care how it turns out. We have real potential of a top 5 class.

You can call BS all you want, I've said this before lol

I don’t care that much about HS recruiting anymore. Most kids will just transfer.

 

[EJVOL4LIFE]

QB: Faison
RB: Walton
WR: King, Keys, Evans
TE: Sneed
OL:
- OT: Osenda
- OG: Anderson
- OG: Gray
- OG: Kolojay


DL: Bacon, Stancil
Edge: Jones, Groves
LB: Rouse, Outlaw, Colton Jr
Secondary: Harris, Clarke, Tutt

Ath: Wyatt

21. Add 2 more DL and 2 guys in the secondary.

Wheres Dunham?? You not big on him?

 

[NighthawkVol]

You can call BS all you want, I've said this before lol

I don’t care that much about HS recruiting anymore. Most kids will just transfer.

But “most” kids don’t. At least not at Tennessee. That’s where we’ve gained a little ground on others. Teams like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, etc. have former 4* & 5* recruits transferring out every year. The guys we have transferring out are mostly former 3*s. We really don’t lose many compared to others. And we’ve kept our highest ranked recruits from transferring. This is where a 10th ranked class can become a top 5 class…because many of the guys who made the classes above you highly ranked transfer out before playing there, while you maintain your best recruits and cull out the bottom of the class. We’ve done that.

 

[89 VOLS grad]

Hopefully several big time athletes @ safety. Some balllhawks and some thumpers..

Need big time ballhawks that are big time thumpers!