Tennessee football has added the commitment of a three-star in-state athlete.
Javonte Smith, the No. 964 prospect in the country in 247’s composite rankings, picked the Vols over Arkansas, Missouri and West Virginia on Tuesday. He projects as a defensive back with the Vols but is a two-way star out of Jackson, Tennessee.
In 2024, Smith was named the Region Offensive Player of the Year at Jackson North Side. He notched 1,027 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on the year to go with two kickoff return touchdowns, five interceptions and three pick-sixes.
Smith took his official visit to Knoxville on June 20, the last of a string of visits. This gave Tennessee the last word before he hunkered down to finalize his decision.
Amazing official visit at the University of Tennessee! Thank you to @Coach_Nez_ @coachjoshheupel and the entire staff for showing love to my family and me this weekend! #GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/7ZtI9KiaoH
— Javonte Smith (@javonte_smith1) June 22, 2025
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Prior to seeing the Vols, Smith looked at West Virginia, Arkansas and Missouri with the Tigers opening up the stretch. In the spring, just prior to the annual Orange & White Spring Game, he was also in Knoxville. Other visits were made in November of 2024 and September of 2023. He picked up his UT offer in October of 2023.
Smith is now the 18th commitment for the Vols in the 2026 class. The group is now ranked as the No. 16 class in the country, according to 247, with the addition.
If he does end up positionally as a defensive back with UT, Smith will join a quartet of secondary members in the boat so far, including three-star cornerbacks Zaydyn Anderson and Jamyan Theodore and safeties KJ McClain and Luke Thompson.
Tennessee could add some additional talent in the coming days, as well. On Tuesday night, four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse will make his decision between the Vols, Alabama, Texas and Michigan. On Wednesday, Rouse’s high school teammate, three-star defensive back Jowell Combay, will decide between Tennessee, Missouri, Wisconsin, Georgia and South Carolina.
Other upcoming commitments scheduled include four-star offensive tackle J.B. Shabazz on Friday and in-state four-star defensive back Craig Tutt the following week.
