Tennessee football has the chance to make a massive addition to its recruiting class on Tuesday.
Brayden Rouse, a four-star linebacker, revealed he’ll be announcing his decision on July 8 at 7 p.m. ET at his high school. He’ll choose between the Vols, Alabama, Michigan and Texas.
Rouse ranks as the No. 4 linebacker in the cycle and No. 68 overall recruit, according to 247’s rankings. He is set to begin his senior season at Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia, alongside multiple other top recruits and UT targets.
I will be committing tomorrow, July 8 at 7:00 PM in the theater at Kell High School. All are welcome. Please DM any media requests to my dad, Coach Chris Pack through DM on X (formally known as Twitter.) @Coach_Pack78. #WheresHome #DMGB @Kell_Football @KellHSRecruits pic.twitter.com/vz6Ic6Vz94
Advertisement— Brayden Rouse ✰ (@BraydenRouse8) July 7, 2025
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Rouse took a trip to each of his finalists for official visits this summer. The Vols got the final word, hosting Rouse from June 20-22 for his final visit of the stretch.
Outside of his official visit, Rouse has made plenty of other trips to Knoxville. This includes time at the popular ‘865 Live’ event in May and for the annual Orange & White Spring Game in April. In January, he showed up for Junior Day, as well as a visit in December, November and October of 2024.
He initially picked up his offer on August 16 of 2024. Along with his finalists, teams such as Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt also offered.
Tennessee currently owns commitments from a pair of linebackers. TJ White is the No. 5 backer in the class, according to 247, and Braylon Outlaw checks in as a three-star.
The class as a whole holds 17 commitments to this point. This includes a pair of five-star prospects in quarterback and top-ranked recruit Faizon Brandon and offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda. The Vols have the chance to add two pieces tomorrow, as well. Outside of Rouse, Tennessee is also a finalist for in-state athlete Javonte Smith, who is considering UT.
Other upcoming commitments that the Vols are in the mix for include defensive back Jowell Combay, Rouse’s high school teammate, on Wednesday, and offensive lineman J.B. Shabazz on Friday.
