With less than a day until the early signing period begins, reports are running rampant for last-minute flips, commits, and movement in the college football recruiting sphere. One of those storylines includes an Alabama defensive line commit that could wind up with the Vols in the near future.
BamaOnLine’s Tim Watts first reported on Monday night that his publication does not expect JJ Finch, a three-star defensive lineman from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, to end up in the Crimson Tide’s 2026 recruiting class. Despite Finch being an Alabama commit since late June, it looks as though things could be trending in the direction of the Volunteers.
On3 Sports’ Steve Wiltfong added to Watts’ report on Tuesday morning by stating that Finch had been “struggling” to choose between Tennessee and Alabama. But with the Crimson Tide “moving on” from the recruitment, it looks like Finch could be heading into the Tennessee signing class on signing day. He’s reportedly set to make his decision on Wednesday.
Watts’ report for BamaOnLine on Monday night stated that Finch will “likely” end up with Tennessee.
Finch is a consensus three-star defensive lineman in the 2026 class, but Rivals’ rankings have him as high as a four-star recruit. Rivals Industry Rankings have the 6-foot-3, 278-pound prospect listed as the No. 457 player in the class, the No. 50 defensive lineman in the nation, and the No. 4 player from the state of Indiana.
More From RTI: Tennessee Lands Commitment From Georgia Defensive Lineman Nic’Quayvion “Nuk” Simmons
247Sports states that Tennessee had Finch on campus for a visit during the Oklahoma game, and BamaOnLine added that he was in Knoxville this past weekend to watch the Vols take on Vanderbilt.
According to various reports, Finch could be one of a few surprises that Tennessee has up its sleeve for the early signing period on Wednesday. He would certainly be a big addition, though.
With the big signing day just hours away, Rivals has Tennessee with the 10th-ranked class in the nation. The Vols’ class is headlined by top talent such as quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver Tristen Keys, linebacker TJ White, and athlete Salesi Moa.
The news of Finch’s potential flip to Tennessee comes on a day when the Vols have already begun to bolster the trenches in the final stages. On Tuesday afternoon, Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett announced that three-star defensive lineman Nic’Quayvion “Nuk” Simmons from Carter High School in Columbus, GA, had committed to Tennessee. Simmons makes for the Vols’ 24th commitment.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football recruiting news as early signing day quickly approaches on Wednesday.
