One of Tennessee football’s commitments in the class of 2027, defensive lineman Christian Mays, has gotten a big honor. In his debut in Rivals‘ rankings, he was placed as the No. 2 junior college prospect in the nation and handed four-star status.
This places Mays behind just offensive tackle Jack Clayborne in Rivals’ junior college rankings for the cycle. Clayborne is committed to Kansas State.
Mays is initially from Lakewood, Colorado. He plays junior college ball at Northeast Mississippi Community College. He finished the 2025 season with seven tackles, five TFL and one sack in eight games
Here is a look at his highlights from the 2025 campaign:
More From RTI: Recruiting Insider Says Majority of Sources Point to This School for David Gabriel Georges’ Commitment
Mays picked Tennessee over offers from Mississippi State, Western Kentucky and Arkansas. He took official visits to Arkansas, Tennessee, Auburn and Mississippi State. Immediately following his official to UT, he announced his commitment to the Vols on June 6. Then, after looking at the Tigers and Bulldogs, he returned to Knoxville for an unofficial visit on June 20.
Mays stands at 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds, according to 247. His primary recruiter with Tennessee is defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who has taken junior college recruits previously in his Vols tenure, as well.
Currently, Tennessee holds 16 commitments in the 2027 class, including Mays. The group ranks as the No. 44 class in the cycle by 247, though, and No. 14 in the SEC.
Mays is the lone defensive lineman committed to UT in the class, as well. Four-star Kadin Fife was previously committed to the Vols, as well, but decommitted after an early commitment and a coordinator change for Tennessee this offseason. Fife has since committed to Louisville. This came after taking official visits to see the Vols, Ole Miss and Georgia, but not the Cardinals.
