Four-star defensive lineman Tyson Bacon de-committed to Tennessee football after spending over fsix months as a member of the Vols’ 2026 recruiting class.
“First off I want to thank Coach Heupel, Coach Chop, Coach Garner, Coach Banks, Coach Ayers, and the University Of Tennessee for taking my commitment,” Bacon said in a post on X (Twitter). “After careful consideration I want to open back up my recruiting. I want to make sure I’m making the best decision for my future.”
Bacon ranks as a four-star recruit and the No. 297 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. The Hoover native ranks as the No. 14 player in the state of Alabama and the No. 34 defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
While Bacon announced his de-commitment on Wednesday, he’s taken a number of visits since originally committing to Josh Heupel and his staff back in early November. He took an unofficial visit to Florida in November and then again in late January. He also took a visit to Miami in March.
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Bacon visited Tennessee back in mid March to take in a spring practice while also visiting in early November for the Kentucky game. He committed to Tennessee two days after visiting the Vols and watching them beat Alabama at Neyland Stadium.
A Hoover High School standout, Bacon has official visits scheduled to Washington, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee in upcoming months. It’s unclear whether or not Bacon will still take his scheduled June official visit to Knoxville.
Without Bacon in its class, Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class only has one defensive lineman— three-star edge rusher CJ Edwards. Adding more interior defensive linemen is a clear need for Tennessee as it continues to put together its 2026 recruiting class.
The Vols’ seven-commit 2026 recruiting class currently ranks No. 21 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC according to the 247sports team rankings.
