One of Tennessee football’s longest defensive back targets in the class of 2027, Ashton ‘Ace’ Alston, is down to 10 schools, including the Vols. He listed UT alongside Notre Dame, Oregon, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio State, LSU, Penn State and USC, according to Hayes Fawcett.
Alston received his offer from Tennessee back in January of 2024. This made the Vols one of the first teams seriously involved in his recruitment, and it seems to be paying off nearly two years later as he continues to narrow down his list.
Alston is ranked as the No. 114 player in the country, according to 247. He is considered a four-star prospect and the No. 15 corner and No. 2 player out of Ohio. He plays for Anderson in Cincinnati.
So far, Alston has made the trip south to see Tennessee a handful of times. This has included multiple game day visits and off-season trips to Knoxville. Most recently, he was in attendance for the Vols’ win over Arkansas in October.
I had a great game day visit @Vol_Football yesterday. Thanks @coachjoshheupel @Coach_Nez_ @CoachET3 @CoachORourke @CoachCrab for the hospitality.
GBO🍊@CoachEvanDreyer pic.twitter.com/JXsbiNuDU5— Ashton “Ace” Alston (@acemoney_6) October 12, 2025
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There is still a long way to go in Alston’s recruitment, but one prediction has already been made. 247 IrishIllustrated writer Eric Thomas placed a crystal ball for him to end up at Notre Dame in October.
The Vols recently landed a near-top-100 recruit in the 2027 class in offensive lineman Princeton Uwaifo. He is Tennessee’s third and highest-ranked commitment to the 2027 class. He sits alongside three-star linebacker JP Peace, who committed back in June, and three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitfield, who committed in mid-October.
Uwaifo’s commitment also sent Tennessee a good bit up the early recruiting rankings, with the Vols moving to No. 16 in 247’s team rankings.
