Tennessee chasing a top-5 recruiting class after two major flips

No program has been hotter on the recruiting trail to end the month of August and begin September than Josh Heupel and Tennessee. Coming off a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024 and a top-three finish in the SEC, the Vols have had their eyes on another highly ranked class.

And they had that, sitting at No. 12 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings less than two weeks ago. But they’ve had their eyes on a few flip targets to help them move up in the rankings, and those efforts are coming to fruition.

Last week, five-star Hattiesburg (Miss.) wide receiver Tristen Keys shocked LSU fans by flipping his commitment from the Tigers to the Vols. Tennessee had long been considered one of the top schools in his recruitment, but Brian Kelly and receivers coach Cortez Hankton secured his pledge. But the Vols’ coaching staff, led by Heupel and receivers coach Kelsey Pope, never relented on him.

His decision moved Tennessee into the top-10 of the team rankings. And on Monday, they got another big boost as four-star linebacker Hezekiah Harris backed off his longtime commitment to Auburn and flipped to the Big Orange. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder is a top-100 prospect nationally and only builds on what has been a very good defensive class for the Vols.

The Alabama native is one 15 blue-chip commitments in total for Tennessee, including six projected to play on defense. With those two in the fold, the Vols now jump over Ohio State into the No. 8 spot in the rankings and are closing in on rival Alabama as well.

Harris also marks their seventh top-100 pledge after signing only five last year.

Tennessee Volunteers commitments by position

Quarterback
Five-star Faizon Brandon, No. 11 NATL. (No. 3 QB)

Wide receiver
Five-star Tristen Keys, No. 7 NATL. (No. 1 WR)
Four-star Tyreek King, No. 128 NATL. (No. 16 WR)

Offensive tackle
Four-star Gabriel Osenda, No. 226 NATL. (No. 19 OT)
Four-star Kamari Blair, No. 274 NATL. (No. 22 OT)
Four-star J.B. Shabazz, No. 308 NATL. (No. 28 OT)

Interior offensive line
Three-star Edward Baker, No. 867 NATL. (No. 85 IOL)

Defensive line
Four-star Dereon Albert, No. 261 NATL. (No. 27 DL)
Three-star Darryl Rivers, No. 553 NATL. (No. 60 DL)

EDGE
Four-star Hezekiah Harris, No. 99 NATL. (No. 15 EDGE)
Four-star Zach Groves, No. 256 NATL. (No. 29 EDGE)
Three-star Kedric Golston II, No. 413 NATL. (No. 45 EDGE)
Three-star CJ Edwards, No. 712 NATL. (No. 69 EDGE)

Linebacker
Four-star Brayden Rouse, No. 94 NATL. (No. 6 LB)
Four-star TJ White, No. 96 NATL. (No. 7 LB)
Three-star Braylon Outlaw, No. 667 NATL. (No. 52 LB)

Cornerback
Four-star Zaydyn Anderson, No. 329 NATL. (No. 31 CB)
Three-star Javonte Smith, No. 816 NATL. (No. 75 CB)
Three-star Jamyan Theodore, No. 820 NATL. (No. 76 CB)

Safety
Three-star Jowell Combay, No. 580 NATL. (No. 45 S)
Three-star Luke Thompson, No. 581 NATL. (No. 46 S)
Three-star KJ McClain, No. 607 NATL. (No. 47 S)

Athlete
Four-star Salesi Moa, No. 46 NATL. (No. 2 ATH)
Four-star Joel Wyatt, No. 58 NATL. (No. 4 ATH)
Four-star Legend Bey, No. 362 NATL. (No. 11 ATH)