One of Tennessee football’s top targets remaining on its board, edge rusher Hezekiah Harris, has locked in a final decision date for his recruitment. The current Auburn commit will decide between sticking with the Tigers or flipping to the Vols or Florida, according to Hayes Fawcett. The announcement will be made on Monday, Sept. 1.
Harris has been committed to Auburn since July of 2024. That hasn’t stopped other programs across the country, and particularly the SEC, from recruiting him, though. Tennessee has been one of the schools to remain consistently in the mix for him despite his verbal pledge from over a year ago. Now, it could all pay off shortly after the 2025 season opener against Syracuse this weekend.
Harris is a four-star recruit and is considered the No. 100 prospect in the country in 247’s composite rankings. He is the No. 13 edge at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds. He enters his senior year of high school at Jemison in Huntsville, Alabama, and is the No. 7 player out of the Yellowhammer State.
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“Long developmental pass rusher that shows the ability to win consistently at the point of attack by utilizing his length and natural athleticism off the edge,” 247 national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna wrote in May. “Estimated at 6-foot-5 and 220-pounds, Harris is primarily positioned as a five technique in an even front as he flashes the athleticism to play in both a two or three point stance as an on-ball defender. The Alabama native demonstrates good play recognition in his pass rush, showing the ability to disengage blockers and let his athleticism take over in space while also displaying the ability to consistently disrupt passing lanes.”
Most recently, Harris was in Knoxville to see Tennessee on June 20 for his official visit. This came just after officials to see both Florida and Auburn. He’s also gotten to campus in May for ‘865 Live’, April for the annual Orange & White Game and January for Junior Day. The Vols were one of the first to offer him, extending him it back in December of 2022.
Tennessee currently holds 23 commitments in the 2026 class after a busy summer. The Vols already have landed three five-star prospects in the form of quarterback Faizon Brandon, offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda and athlete Salesi Moa. The group ranks as the No. 11 unit in the cycle, but the addition of a top-100 recruit in Harris could provide a boost into the top-10.
