For a second straight weekend, Tennessee Football has had itself a standout recruiting stretch. On Saturday, Tennessee picked up two four-star commitments to add to its 2027 class. This now makes five new commitments, three of which are from four-star prospects, for Tennessee over the last two weeks.
Tennessee began the day with a splash in the SEC landscape. The Vols flipped four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II, the son of former Tennessee standout Kevin Simon, away from the Alabama Crimson Tide. Simon had previously been committed to Kalen DeBoer’s group since May 11.
Then, just a few hours later, Tennessee beat out Virginia and Virginia Tech for four-star offensive tackle Q’Mari Hudson. The strong lineman was in Knoxville for an official visit last weekend and felt good enough to move up his commitment date and lock his spot in the Vols’ 2027 class.
These two commitments moved Tennessee up from No. 33 overall to No. 27 overall on Saturday, according to Rivals’ team rankings. On Sunday, though, Tennessee fell one spot back to No. 28 overall.
Additionally, Tennessee moved up from No. 48 to No. 39 in 247Sports’ team rankings after the two moves.
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Tennessee’s two commitments also come after landing three new commitments during the previous weekend. During a big recruiting event in Knoxville on June 5-7, Tennessee landed commitments from four-star tight end Malik Howard, three-star CB Dylan Haley, and JUCO defensive lineman Christian Mays.
The ranking outside of the Top 25 might still be a little concerning for some fans, but it’s still so early in the cycle that it shouldn’t be all that worrisome. Tennessee has plenty of time to continue targeting the guys it is looking at and assuredly still has plenty of room to work with. Taking just last year’s class into consideration, many of Tennessee’s top commitments came from June to August.
Tennessee’s class now has 15 total commitments after the two additions over the weekend. Rivals has Tennessee with five four-star prospects and eight three-star prospects, while 247Sports has the Vols with four four-star players and eight three-star prospects.
There are a few big differences between the two organizations. For one, Rivals has DL Kadin Fife listed as a four-star prospect, while 247 has him as a three-star. Additionally, 247 has Tennessee with a commitment from kicker Ford Fehling, while Rivals does not include that. Rivals lists long snapper Sam McKeown as a three-star prospect, while 247 has him unranked.
Tennessee’s class through 15 commitments is as follows:
WR Kesean Bowman (TN)
- Rivals: 4-star
- 247: 4-star
- ESPN: 4-star
LB Kenneth Simon II (TN)
- Rivals: 4-star
- 247: 4-star
- ESPN: 4-star
TE Malik Howard (TN)
- Rivals: 3-star
- 247: 4-star
- ESPN: 4-star
OT Princeton Uwaifo (TN)
- Rivals: 4-star
- 247: 4-star
- ESPN: 4-star
DL Kadin Fife (GA)
- Rivals: 4-star
- 247: 3-star
- ESPN: 3-star
OT Q’Mari Hudson (VA)
- Rivals: 4-star
- 247: 3-star
- ESPN: 3-star
S Jaden Butler (TN)
- Rivals: 3-star
- 247: 3-star
- ESPN: 3-star
LB JP Peace (TN)
- Rivals: 3-star
- 247: 3-star
- ESPN: 3-star
CB Brandon “Slim” Leavell (TN)
- Rivals: 3-star
- 247: 3-star
- ESPN: 3-star
CB Dylan Haley (GA)
- Rivals: 3-star
- 247: 3-star
- ESPN: 3-star
QB Derrick Baker (GA)
- Rivals: 3-star
- 247: 3-star
- ESPN: 3-star
CB Carter Jamison (GA)
- Rivals: 3-star
- 247: 3-star
- ESPN: 3-star
DL Christian Mays (JUCO)
- Rivals: Unranked
- 247: Unranked
LS Sam McKeown (OK)
- Rivals: 3-star
- 247: Unranked
K Ford Fehling (NC)
- Rivals: Unlisted
- 247: Unranked
