Tennessee football is one of the five remaining schools in the mix to land one of the top recruits and cornerbacks in the class of 2027. Hayden Stepp listed the Vols, Oregon, Alabama, Clemson and Miami as his top-five, according to Rivals.
Stepp is the No. 23 recruit in the class, according to 247‘s rankings. He is the No. 4 cornerback and No. 1 player out of the state of Nevada. Standing at over 6-foot-3, he is from Las Vegas, where he plays for Bishop Gorman.
“It’s a deep year for corners out West and Stepp is our pick as the No. 1 guy on our board at this juncture,” 247 national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins wrote in September. “Has a long, athletic frame pushing 6-foot-4 and can smother opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage. Shows rare combination of length and athleticism as well as natural cover instincts. Despite his length, has quick feet and closes very well on the football.”
NEWS: Elite 2027 CB Hayden Stepp is down to 5 Schools, he tells me for @rivals
The 6’3 190 CB from Las Vegas, NV is ranked as a Top 25 Recruit in the 2027 Class (per Rivals)
Where Should He Go? https://t.co/W92nPZk1TQ pic.twitter.com/q3mfF4vIHA
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 22, 2025
More From RTI: An Updated Look at Betting Odds Between Tennessee Football and Illinois in the Music City Bowl
Stepp picked up his Tennessee offer in February of 2025. This made the Vols one of the first teams to extend an offer to him out of his finalists.
He took a visit to Knoxville to see the Vols this past season, getting to campus for Tennessee’s game against Oklahoma. Though the Vols lost, many recruits have raved about that game day experience.
The Vols currently hold four commitments in the 2027 cycle. This is headlined by in-state offensive lineman Princeton Uwaifo. He ranks as the No. 110 player in the country and holds four-star status, via 247.
Three-star commitments in the boat so far include defensive lineman Kadin Fife, cornerback Kamauri Whitfield and linebacker JP Peace. The group ranks as the No. 13 class in the country on 247.
