Four-star defensive lineman Dereon Albert knew Tennessee was the right spot for him when he was leaving his official visit to Knoxville in mid June.
“I was like, ‘dang, I want to go back the next day,'” Albert told RTI.
Albert made that feeling official Tuesday, committing to Tennessee football over North Carolina as well as Arkansas and home state school Mississippi State.
“When I went to Tennessee, it just felt like home,” Albert said. “It was just greatness. Don’t get me wrong, North Carolina was fun. It was great. I had a great time. It was nice seeing the place, but Tennessee just felt like home to me. The people were great. The coaches were great. They showed initiative, they showed time. They talked to my sister, family.”
The 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive tackle ranks as a four-star recruit and the No. 359 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. Albert also ranks as the No. 14 player in the state of Mississippi and the No. 42 defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Tennessee’s defensive line has been a strength in Josh Heupel’s four years as head coach due to veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner. A veteran SEC assistant coach of over 30 years, Garner’s honesty won Albert over in the recruiting process.
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“Coach G, he keeps it real,” Albert said. “He says he’s going to coach you hard but he’s going to love on you hard too. I was talking to some of the players and they were keeping it real with me. They said he’s not telling me that just because I’m a recruit.
“I like the people that keep it real with me. The people that keep it 100. So I know what I’m getting into because this is my future. This is where I want to leave my family too.”
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel brought that same attitude to his conversations with Albert, helping the Vols land the blue-chip defensive tackle.
“After the visit he was like ‘where does this land us at? Are you going to take your visit to (Mississippi) State? I know you’re a top kid on other people’s list. But I really want you here.’ He was like, just keep it real with me,” Albert said. “If we’re low on the list, just let me know so I can get other commitments on the dline here so I can recruit them. They’re still going to do it regardless because it’s a business, but I was appreciative of him keeping it real with me.”
The Mississippi native has had a dominant first three high school seasons at Jackson Academy, combining for 246 tackles, 61.5 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Albert tackle totaled 81 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks while helping the Raiders post a 9-4 record in his junior season.
“My knowledge of the game,” Albert said of what makes him an effective player. “Knowing my opponent, basically. I’m fast off the ball. I know all my moves. I’m good with my hands. My initial strike and knowing what my initial opponent is going to do before he even does it. By his stance I can tell if he’s jumping at me, pulling, passing. I know it.”
Albert is coming to Tennessee with his teammate, four-star linebacker, TJ White who also committed to the Vols. Tuesday. With the duo in fold, Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class now contains 15 commitments.
