Tennessee football is one of the 10 remaining schools for one of the top safety recruits in the 2027 class. Gavin Williams named the Vols alongside Ohio State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan, Washington, Texas A&M, Texas, USC and Oregon in his updated top schools list.
Williams is a four-star safety who ranks as the No. 89 recruit in the country, according to 247. He is the No. 8 safety and No. 12 player out of California. He plays for Damien in La Verne, California.
While Williams has two-way potential at the next level, Tennessee seems to be looking at him at safety. He was being recruited by former defensive coordinator Tim Banks and secondary coach Willie Martinez. Despite the firing of Banks, Williams still included the Vols in his top schools list.
Where’s 🏠? #AGTG pic.twitter.com/VXYTxGzyEX
— Gavin Williams 4⭐️ (@gavinnwill) December 11, 2025
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“Williams is a talented two-way player who could end up at receiver or defensive back in college but we really like his upside highest at safety,” 247 analyst Greg Biggins wrote. “He has a prototype safety frame and is a ballhawk with excellent ball skills and football instincts. He’s rangy, covers a lot of ground and shows excellent awareness to go along with the physical tools. He’s a solid open field tackler and plays a physical game. When you look at his size and growth potential but natural athleticism and play making skill, it’s easy to see why Williams is already a national recruit and has the talent to play for any school in the country.”
The Vols currently hold four commitments in the 2027 cycle. This is headlined by in-state offensive lineman Princeton Uwaifo. He ranks as the No. 110 player in the country and holds four-star status, via 247. Three-star commitments in the boat so far include defensive lineman Kadin Fife, cornerback Kamauri Whitfield and linebacker JP Peace. The group ranks as the No. 13 class in the country on 247.
Josh Heupel just inked one of the best classes in the country for the 2026 cycle, as well. His signing class clocks in as the No. 4 group in the country on 247, including signings of a trio of five-star prospects.
