Tennessee appears to be in a battle with an in-conference rival for one of the top cornerbacks in the 2027 recruiting class, according to a new report from Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong on Tuesday. Wiltfong’s report states that Tennessee and Alabama are the two programs that stand out the most to four-star cornerback Hayden Stepp, but that the Vols may have some extra work to do. It appears that the Crimson Tide has the edge as things currently stand.
“In talking to him more, it sounds like the Crimson Tide are his top school with the rest following behind,” Wiltfong reported.
According to Rivals’ Industry Rankings, Stepp is the No. 23 prospect in the class, the No. 3 cornerback in the cycle, and the top-ranked player from the state of Nevada. He currently plays for Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.
Stepp’s offer list is exactly what you’d think with the amount of talent that he brings to the table. Other notable programs that have offered him include Oregon, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Miami, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Georgia.
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The interesting note moving forward about any defensive recruitment that Tennessee is involved in is how the hiring of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles impacts things. Tennessee, for instance, has clearly made an impression on the 6-foot-3 cornerback from Las Vegas. But how will Knowles’ addition as the defensive coordinator, or any staff changes that he may or may not make, affect things? We’ll have to wait and see.
Tennessee signed three cornerbacks in the 2026 class, with four-star Zay Anderson, three-star Javonte Smith, and three-star Jamyan Theodore. The Vols also have a cornerback pledge in the four-man 2027 class so far, with three-star Kamauri Whitfield.
“Has a long, athletic frame pushing 6-foot-4 and can smother opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage,” 247Sports’ Greg Biggins wrote about Stepp in September. “Shows rare combination of length and athleticism as well as natural cover instincts… Can play a physical game, gets off blocks and is a very good open field tackler.”
Stepp is also a selection to both the Under Armour All-American Game and the Polynesian Bowl.
Tennessee currently has four commitments in the 2027 recruiting class, with four-star offensive tackle Princeton Uawifo, four-star defensive lineman Kadin Fife, three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitfield, and three-star linebacker JP Peace. The Vols look to be closing the 2026 cycle with a Top 10 signing class.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football recruiting news.
