Tennessee is making a big push for the top running back in the 2027 class.
According to a report from GoVols247’s Ryan Callahan this week, Tennessee is set to host 2027 running back Kemon Spell for the Oklahoma game in Neyland Stadium this fall.
The obstacle that Tennessee will have to overcome is flipping him from a prominent Big Ten program, though. Spell has been committed to Penn State since August 2024 and is currently ranked as the Nittany Lions’ top overall commit in the 2027 class.
Perhaps a trip to Rocky Top and some quality time with Tennessee’s coaching staff this fall will see him re-evaluate his options.
According to 247Sports’ rankings, Spell is listed as a five-star prospect. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound back is also marked as the No. 9 prospect in the class, the No. 1 running back in the nation, and the top overall player from the state of Pennsylvania.
As just a sophomore at McKeesport High School, Spell helped lead his team to the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) Class 4A championship game, where they were defeated by the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars, 28-7. Spell had a monster run in the playoffs, though. According to 247’s Andrew Ivins, he had a 280-yard game and a 274-yard game en route to the championship game. Overall, Spell racked up 1,681 yards and 24 touchdowns on 157 carries as just a sophomore in high school.
“A mix between a tank and a jackrabbit, which is an extremely difficult combination to tackle,” Ivins wrote in an April evaluation. “A naturally low-to-the-ground runner with true workhorse capabilities as he constantly bounces off defenders or cuts around them to find extra yardage. Spent much of sophomore campaign deployed as a fullback in a Wing-T offense. Ran absolutely wild in Pennsylvania’s WPIAL Class 4A playoffs with 280-yard and 274-yard rushing performances. Not a true burner, but can hit the gas when a crease opens up.”
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Spell already holds 14 scholarship offers, including powerhouse programs such as Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin. By the looks of 247’s website, Tennessee appears to be the first and only SEC team to extend Spell an offer so far. The Vols reportedly sent one his way on Feb. 20, 2025.
While Spell appears to be a big target for the Vols in the 2027 cycle, Tennessee is still working hard to close out the top overall running back in the 2026 class. Tennessee is reportedly one of the finalists for five-star running back Savion Hiter, who is listed as the No. 9 overall player and the No. 1 running back, according to 247’s services – the same exact ranking as Spell in the 2027 class.
The 2026 class is still in the final stages of being built, but news around the 2027 group will be heating up over the next handful of months. Tennessee has just one commit in the class, three-star LB JP Peace out of West High School in Knoxville, but there’s no doubt that things will start heating up soon. Five-star running back Kemon Spell looks to be a primary target for the Vols class in 2027, but they’ll have to flip him away from his home state and Penn State in the process.
Here’s a look at some of the talent that Tennessee is looking to capture:
