Tennessee is attracting many of the nation’s top prospects as Josh Heupel and his staff do a great job connecting with top targets.
Rivals had an update last week on the Vols pushing for another Top 10 class. Read that here. This week top targets continue to speak highly of their opportunity in Knoxville.
Here is the latest regarding Tennessee.
No. 1 target talks Tennessee
Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor School five-star running back David Gabriel Georges believes the Vols will ultimately go to another level, from competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff to winning those games in the postseason.
“I feel like Tennessee is building and bringing in top players that will make an immediate impact,” Gabriel Georges said this week. “And they made it very clear that they see me the same way and that I am their top priority for 2027.”
The Vols will continue to battle Ohio State, Georgia and others for the prolific tailback.
Gabriel Georges ranks as the No. 1 recruit in the state, No. 2 running back in the land and No. 17 prospect overall in the Rivals300.
Vols still in the thick of it for nation’s No. 3 cornerback
Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman blue-chip cornerback Hayden Stepp told Rivals at the Under Armour All-America Game in late December that Tennessee was in his top two with Alabama.
He’s now navigating some coaching changes on the Vols staff.
“I had a good relationship with the previous DB coach, which is why Tennessee is in my top five,” Stepp said. “I was a little surprised when I found out he moved on.
“Coach (Michael) Hunter reached out to me right away after taking over as the new DB coach. He let me know that Tennessee is still recruiting me and that I fit well in their defensive scheme.”
The Vols check a lot of boxes for Stepp.
“Tennessee has a long history of winning and developing players for the next level, which really stands out to me. With Coach (Jim) Knowles coming in, who has a strong coaching background, and Derek Owings as the new strength and conditioning coach, I think the staff has a lot of potential to be very competitive next season.
“I also like the resources and support they have for players on and off the field, especially the academic support that helps athletes stay on track in the classroom. I really liked the atmosphere and the fans at Tennessee, and I’m looking forward to building my relationship with the staff there.”
Top in-state target excited about Knowles taking over the defense
Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy four-star linebacker prospect Kenneth Simon II is building a fast rapport with Knowles.
“Coach Knowles was really cool,” Simon said of the Vols big defensive coordinator hire. “Being able to sit with him and go over some different ways he could use me.”
Simon has a great connection with the staff.
“Also Coach (William) Inge and my family had a great meeting and then me and Coach Heupel’s relationship is very strong right now.”
Alabama, Texas A&M and Georgia are other suitors in the Simon sweepstakes.
Coveted offensive lineman has Tennessee high on his list
The Vols remain one of the front-runners for Irmo (SC) High offensive lineman Nate Carson. He visited earlier this month and Glen Elarbee returned the favor checking in on Carson late last week.
“The campus and the coaches there are amazing!” Carson emphasized. “I love them a lot. Just the relationship I have is amazing with all the coaches and (I like) the way they develop for the next level.”
Alabama, Clemson and South Carolina are a few others Carson is extremely high on.
