Tennessee Recruiting: 2025 commit breakdown

Tennessee signed a pair of five-stars and finished with a top-15 recruiting class last cycle. Now, Josh Heupel and the Volunteers are looking to do the same with the 2025 class.

It’s still early in the year, but Tennessee is shaping up to be near the top of the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings come December. The Vols’ class checks in at No. 12 in the nation and No. 7 in the SEC, as of April 22.

From a trio of elite in-staters to top Peach State prospects, nine recruits are currently committed to Heupel and his staff in Knoxville.

Tennessee Class Breakdown

When looking at Tennessee’s 2025 class, all eyes point toward Nashville Brentwood four-star quarterback George MacIntyre. The No. 3 QB and No. 1 player in Tennessee in the cycle, he will likely headline the Vols’ class for the entirety of the year.

“I’m ready to give my all to Tennessee and rep the home team every Saturday,” MacIntyre told On3 upon his commitment.

MacIntyre is one of five commits on the offensive side of the ball for Tennessee. Southlake (Texas) Carroll four-star tight end Jack Van Dorselaer is a top-250 recruit in the On3 Industry Ranking, while Buford (Ga.) three-star running back Justin Baker is a top-50 player at his position.

Memphis Sheffield four-star wide receiver Radarious Jackson is the latest addition to the class, as he chose the in-state school over Auburn, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. He is On3’s No. 80 overall prospect and No. 12 WR in the cycle.

On March 28, Nashville Ensworth four-star defensive lineman Ethan Utley joined the fold as the second highest-ranked pledge, choosing the Vols over Michigan, Texas and others. He became the third commit on the defensive side of the ball, flanking Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton three-star cornerback Dylan Lewis and Milton (Ga.) three-star CB Tyler Redmond.

Top Offensive Commit: QB George MacIntyre

The 6-foot-5.5, 185-pound MacIntyre is the No. 11 overall prospect in the nation. He chose the in-state program over Alabama and LSU, providing a major recruiting win for the staff on Rocky Top.

On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about him as a prospect:

“Measured in at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds during summer campus visits. George MacIntyre- Tall signal caller with strong projectable tools as a passer and playmaker. Measured in at around 6-foot-5.5, 185 pounds with a 9.25-inch hand prior to his junior season. Has a tall, wiry build that should continue to fill out over time. Touts a tight, compact throwing motion with little moving parts. The release is whippy quick. Flashes good arm strength, with the ability to flick passes out to the boundary and downfield. Mechanical foundation points to a baseline level of accuracy. A bouncy, light-footed mover within the pocket. Avoids pressure in the backfield, stepping up in the pocket. Capable of making high-level second-reaction plays. Has strong improvisational skills.

…Shows a long stride in the open field. Doubles as a high-level high school basketball player and received high major looks as an underclassman. Plays a tough schedule, but does not have the production or efficiency typical of an elite quarterback prospect. High school team struggled in his junior season. Will need to continue making strides as a player on Friday night and adding weight to his frame, but has the potential to be one of the top quarterbacks to come out of the 2025 cycle.”

Top Defensive Commit: DL Ethan Utley

The addition of Utley proved once more that Josh Heupel and his staff will do whatever it takes to keep in-state recruits home. The 6-foot-3.5, 275-pounder is the No. 182 overall recruit and No. 16 DL in the 2025 cycle.

Utley said this to On3’s Chad Simmons upon committing to the Volunteers:

“Coach Heupel will for sure get us back to the national championship game,” he told On3. “I think this year, considering the playoffs have been extended to 12 teams, we have a chance to make a run. As we get more recruits in and guys that are all into Tennessee, I feel like we’ll continue to be a great program. We can continue to climb that ladder and take over the SEC as far as the leadership and the players that coach Heupel is bringing in. I know that on the defensive side of the ball, we will take care of our job, continue to grow and develop as a team and bring Tennessee football back. That’s what we’ll do. We’ll bring back gold trophies.”