Things have died down in the Tennessee recruiting world over the last two weeks after the Vols upset instate Utah to land five-star athlete Salesi Moa the first day of August. But that quiet stretch could end this week for the Vols. At least that’s what Josh Heupel and his staff hope.
A pair of five-star Tennessee targets— offensive guard Darius Gray and running back Savion Hiter— are announcing their college commitments this week. Hiter goes first, announcing his decision on Tuesday in a ceremony at his high school. Gray follows suit later in the week, announcing his commitment on Friday.
Hiter is the top ranked uncommitted prospect in the country, ranking as a five-star recruit and the No. 9 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. He also ranks as the top running back in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back is down to a top group that includes Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Tennessee. Michigan has long been viewed as the favorite in Hiter’s recruitment with Tennessee as a close second. But recruiting experts have admitted that Hiter’s recruitment is incredibly tight lipped and he doesn’t plan to tell anyone his decision beforehand.
Moa’s recruitment was similarly tight lipped and while all the pundits projected the two-way star to stay in state and play at his father’s alma mater, he ended up choosing Tennessee and life in the SEC.
More From RTI: This Tennessee Football Freshman Could Be a ‘Big Part’ of the Vols’ Offense
Gray ranks as a five-star recruit and the No. 30 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. A 6-foot-3, 285-pound guard, Gray ranks as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
The five-star lineman is down to a top group that includes Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Vols’ chances of landing Gray appear less likely that Hiter. LSU and South Carolina are the favorites while Tennessee has been the dark horse contender behind the Gamecocks and Tigers.
Coincidentally, both players are Virginia natives with Hiter starring at Louisa County and Gray at Richmond’s St. Christopher School. Hiter is ranks as the top player in the commonwealth and Gray ranks as the No. 2 player.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on five-star receiver Tristen Keys this week. The Vols have been pushing to flip the nation’s top receiver from LSU for months. The final week before his senior season begins could be the time that Keys makes a move.
Tennessee football’s 2026 recruiting class currently contains 22 commits and ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 6 in the SEC according to the 247sports team rankings.
