Four-star edge rusher Zach Groves committed to Tennessee football on Wednesday afternoon over a top group that included Clemson, Georgia, Ole Miss and Southern Cal. The Trojans and Rebels proved to be Tennessee’s top competition for the instate prospect.
Groves ranks as a four-star recruit and the No. 259 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. A Nashville native, Groves also ranks as the No. 27 edge rusher in the 2026 recruiting cycle and the No. 7 player in the state of Tennessee.
A standout at East Robertson High School, Grove totaled 65 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, four sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. The do it all defender was even more statistically productive during his sophomore season when he totaled 72 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one pass breakup, eight forced fumbles and two interceptions.
The Indians posted a 10-2 record during the 2024 season and a 13-2 record during the 2023 season. East Robertson is a 2A school playing against smaller schools in the state of Tennessee.
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Groves commitment ends a long cold streak for the Vols on the recruiting trail. Tennessee last landed a commitment back in February when New Jersey edge rusher CJ Edwards committed to Josh Heupel and his staff.
Since then Tennessee lost a commitment from four-star Alabama defensive tackle Tyson Bacon. With Bacon out of the fold, Edwards and Groves are the Vols’ only two defensive lineman committed in their 2026 recruiting cycle.
With Edwards and Groves in the fold, Tennessee is in a good spot at edge rusher and is looking to add interior defensive linemen to its recruiting class.
Groves is Tennessee football’s eighth commit in its 2026 recruiting class and bumps it from No. 31 to No. 22 nationally according to the 247sports team rankings.
