Tennessee football has been on a recent recruiting hot streak under Josh Heupel. What certainly helps in this category is a significant budget to play with. According to a report from On3, nobody had a bigger budget among public schools than the Vols.
Tennessee clocked in at first with a reported budget of $5,378,984 in 2024. The top six were all current SEC squads, as well. Following the Vols were Alabama ($5.2 million), Texas A&M ($4.1 million), Georgia ($4.0 million), Oklahoma ($3.8 million) and Texas ($3.6 million).
This did not include private schools such as USC, Miami, Notre Dame and TCU. Former Vols offensive coordinator Alex Golesh has the top Group of 6 budget with $1.9 million at USF. That is the 20th-best in the country.
The information was pulled from Extra Points library.
2024 College Football Recruiting Budgets🤑
More: https://t.co/eNrWGdp35q pic.twitter.com/nruQvTuqS3
— On3 (@On3sports) September 4, 2025
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On3 compared the 2022 budget to the 2024 one, which has ballooned in that span.
“In the Josh Heupel era, Tennessee has committed to spending more than ever on college football recruiting,” Pete Nakos wrote. “The Volunteers ranked No. 4 overall in football recruiting spending in 2022 with a $2.9 million budget. Since then, the budget has grown by 45% and sat at $5,378,984 in 2024.”
This past year, Tennessee signed the No. 11 class in the country, according to 247 composite rankings. This included David Sanders Jr., a five-star offensive tackle who ranked as the No. 11 overall player in the class. He is projected to start as a true freshman when healthy.
Other notable additions were four-stars defensive tackle Isaiah Campbell, tight end DaSaahn Brame, edge rusher Mariyon Dye, wide receiver Travis Smith Jr., interior lineman Nic Moore, defensive tackle Ethan Utley, edge rusher Christian Gass, wide receiver Radarious Jackson, quarterback George MacIntyre, edge rusher Jayden Loftin, linebacker Jadon Perlotte, linebacker Jaedon Harmon, tight end Jack Van Dorselaer and defensive back Tre Poteat.
In the 2026 class, Heupel and Tennessee have leveled up. The Vols hold the No. 4 class in the country, according to 247’s own rankings. This features four players with five-star status in at least one ranking, including quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver Tristen Keys, offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda and athlete Salesi Moa.
