When Jim Knowles took the defensive coordinator job at Tennessee football, he appointed Anthony Poindexter as not just his safeties coach, but his co-defensive coordinator. Now, Poindexter is on the road and recruiting for the Vols.
On Monday, Poindexter made the trip to Mobile, Alabama, and stopped by Williamson High School to see safety recruit Jaylen Scott. He is the No. 113 recruit in the country, No. 10 safety and No. 4 player in the state, according to 247.
Other schools to visit Scott this month include Texas A&M and Oklahoma. He also holds offers from the likes of Ole Miss, Florida, Miami, Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, Auburn and more.
GBO🍊 @Coachpoindexter @coachjoshheupel @Vol_Football @CoachORourke @GoVols247 pic.twitter.com/uFXDp1wyWe
— Jaylen Scott 27’ (@JaylenS_4) January 26, 2026
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Tennessee got in early for Scott, which could pay off. According to 247, the only schools to offer the prospect before the Vols were Marshall, Alabama State, Alabama A&M and UCF. Tennessee extended its offer on August 26, 2024.
Since picking up his UT offer, Scott has made his way to Knoxville multiple times. This includes as recently as Dec. 27, 2025.
Scott was previously committed to Florida State, a decision he made in January of 2025. Then, he flipped his commitment to Auburn in June. However, after the coaching change on The Plains, he decommitted on Dec. 2. His recruitment is currently wide open as schools attempt to gain positioning on his list.
Tennessee already holds four commitments in the 2027 class. This includes four-star tackle Princeton Uwaifo, four-star defensive lineman Kadin Fife, three-star linebacker JP Peace and three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitfield. The class is still young, though, and plenty more commitments are expected to trickle in over the next year.
Tennessee is coming off an extremely strong 2026 class, as well. The Vols landed 29 commitments in the class, with 27 signed in the early signing period and two local prospects committing last week. This was headlined by a trio of five-star prospects, quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver TK Keys and offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda. The group ranks fifth in the country on 247.
