Tennessee is set to host a blue-chip prospect from the 2026 class on Rocky Top this weekend.
Linebacker Brayden Rouse will take an official visit to Tennessee this weekend, as he announced on social media on Thursday. Rouse has been busy on the recruiting trail over the last month with other official visits to Texas (June 13), Michigan (June 6), and Alabama (May 30).
Rouse posted a Top 4 in late April with those three teams plus Tennessee.
“Excited to be in Knoxville this weekend!” Rouse posted to X while tagging several Tennessee coaches and assistants.
Excited to be in Knoxville this weekend!@coachjoshheupel @WilliamInge1 @CoachBrautigam @Ruzic_Steven @CoachForrestL @LevornH pic.twitter.com/ei85PVNbXj
— Brayden Rouse ✰ (@BraydenRouse8) June 19, 2025
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According to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, Rouse lands as a four-star prospect, the No. 86 player in the 2026 class, the No. 5 linebacker in the cycle, and the No. 9 player from the state of Georgia.
As a high school player, Rouse’s athleticism has been on full display. Although he lands as a linebacker in the recruiting rankings, 247 has Rouse being a multi-position player at Kell High School in Marietta, GA, as a linebacker, EDGE rusher, safety, wide receiver, and tight end. He’s also a multi-sport athlete in basketball and track & field.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is a strong prospect who has garnered a lot of well-deserved attention from elite programs in the cycle. He’s racked up more than 45 scholarship offers, including notable programs such as Texas, Michigan, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Wisconsin.
247Sports hasn’t submitted any Crystal Ball predictions for the ’26 prospect, but On3 does have Tennessee leading the race by a wide margin. Though just an analytical prediction, On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has Tennessee at 87.9% to land the four-star player.
Tennessee currently has nine commits in its 2026 class, led by five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon and five-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda. The Vols also have commitments from four-star WR Tyreek King, four-star EDGE rusher Zach Groves, four-star TE Carson Sneed, three-star safety KJ McClain, three-star EDGE CJ Edwards, three-star LB Braylon Outlaw, and three-star safety Luke Thompson. Tennessee recently lost a commitment this week with three-star WR Tyran Evans.
Rouse won’t be the only notable name on Rocky Top this weekend. Tennessee is also hosting five-star running back Savion Hiter as the Volunteers look to lock down a truly elite running back in the 2026 cycle.
