Tennessee Football’s 2026 recruiting class dropped down to 23 total prospects after a de-commitment from three-star linebacker Braylon Outlaw on Wednesday afternoon. Still, though, Josh Heupel has assembled one of the top recruiting classes in the nation as the calendar nears November.
According to 247Sports, Tennessee’s 23-man class ranks at No. 8 in the nation in the 2026 cycle. That’s good for fifth in the SEC behind No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Alabama, No. 5 Texas A&M, and No. 7 Texas.
The same is also true for Rivals‘ class rankings, which have Tennessee at the No. 8 slot. The Vols are still fifth in the SEC, but in a different order. Tennessee trails No. 2 Georgia, No. 5 Texas, No. 6 Texas A&M, and No. 7 Alabama.
Despite being a talented prospect, Outlaw’s decommitment really didn’t do all that much against Tennessee’s ranking. 247Sports had Outlaw with an 86 overall prospect ranking, which was tied for the lowest spot in the Vols’ class before his announcement on Wednesday.
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Tennessee’s class still packs a punch. With signing day closing in, Tennessee’s class is led by some heavy hitters, including five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys, five-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda, four-star athlete Salesi Moa, and four-star athlete Joel Wyatt.
247Sports’ Composite rankings have Tennessee with two five-stars, 13 four-stars, and eight three-stars. Rivals Industry Rankings, on the other hand, has Tennessee with two five-stars, 12 four-stars, and nine three-star commits.
If Tennessee can hang on to its Top 10 position in the final stretch of the recruiting cycle, it’ll be the highest-graded class that Josh Heupel has assembled on Rocky Top. Tennessee finished No. 11 in 2025, No. 13 in 2024, No. 11 in 2023, and No. 23 in 2022. The Vols have been dancing right on the edge of the Top 10, but it looks like the 2026 cycle could be the first that Tennessee finally breaks through.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football recruiting news as the 2026 class winds down and the 2027 class ramps up.
