One of Tennessee football’s top commitments in its 2026 class has received the honor of being invited to play in the prestigious Navy All-American Bowl. Brayden Rouse, a high-four-star linebacker out of Georgia, announced the honor on Thursday afternoon. The game features 100 of the best players in high school football throughout the country.
This past year, Vols five-star offensive line commit Gabriel Osenda played in the game. It was also the moment he committed to Tennessee, announcing the decision during the broadcast.
Rouse ranks as the No. 4 linebacker in the cycle and No. 70 overall recruit, according to 247’s rankings. Paired with commit TJ White, the No. 5 linebacker, Tennessee brings in a tandem of elite players for the middle of its defense. Josh Heupel and William Inge also bring in three-star linebacker Braylon Outlaw at the position.
Rouse, the latest addition to the room, is entering his senior season at Kell in Marietta, Georgia. He was also considering Alabama, Michigan and Texas. This past summer, he got the chance to take official visits to each of his finalists.
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The Vols got the final word, hosting Rouse from June 20-22 for his final visit of the stretch. Heupel and company clearly made the most of it, cementing an already strong standing to add him to the group.
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, 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 extended offers.
Tennessee holds 20 commitments in the 2026 class to this point. According to 247, the Vols own the No. 10 class in the country following the commitment. This features the likes of five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, who ranks as the No. 1 overall recruit in the country, five-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda and five-star athlete Salesi Moa.
