Tennessee enters the early signing period with 24 commits as head coach Josh Heupel puts the finishing touches on his second full singing class in Knoxville.
The Vols enter Wednesday with the nation’s No. 9 recruiting class and the SEC’s fourth ranked class with the possibility of adding a handful of players Wednesday.
It’s expected to be a slow day for the Vols but we’ll keep you updated on all of Tennessee’s early signing period movement including when the current Vol commits ink their NLI.
Updated as of 4:00 P.M. ET.
Caleb Herring, Edge Rusher
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Four-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Four-star
Herring was a long target of Tennessee’s coaching staff. The Vols landed Caleb’s older brother Elijah as part of the 2022 signing class and earned Caleb’s commitment in April. The top player in the Volunteer State has already arrived on Tennessee’s campus to participate in bowl practice.
The 6-foot-5, 206 pound prospect ranks as the No. 75 player and No. 12 edge rusher in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. Herring is the type of prospect that can elevate Tennessee’s defense to the next level but at a position with solid depth and better recruiting, early playing time is no guarantee.
Daevin Hobbs, Defensive Lineman
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Five-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Five-star
Hobbs was perhaps the most impressive recruiting win of Josh Heupel’s tenure in Knoxville. The Concord, North Carolina native chose Tennessee after a long recruiting battle with North Carolina, Ohio State and mainly Alabama and Georgia. Hobbs spent his fall taking visits to Athens, Knoxville and Tuscaloosa before committing to the Vols in late November.
The 6-foot-4, 257-pound defensive lineman ranks as the No. 51 player in the country and No. 2 player in the state of North Carolina according to the 247sports composite rankings. Hobbs is also the fourth highest ranked defensive lineman in the 2023 cycle. As Tennessee attempts to stack talent defensively, they’ve done a better job at defensive line than anywhere else. The Vols hope Hobbs will factor as a freshman but he’ll have plenty of competition to do so.
Arion Carter, Inside Linebacker
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Four-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Four-star
Carter committed to Tennessee earlier this month as Josh Heupel and his staff won a major recruiting battle against Ohio State and primarily Alabama. The Smyrna native was committed to Memphis for months before a massive senior season saw him earn Tennessee 6A Mr. Football honors and bigger scholarship offers.
The 6-foot-1, 215 pound inside linebacker de-committed from Memphis in November before taking visits to Knoxville and Tuscaloosa and deciding on Tennessee. Carter ranks as the No. 158 player in the country and No. 2 player in the state of Tennessee according to the 247sports composite rankings. At linebacker, Carter has a clear path to early playing time. Going through bowl practices and early enrolling in January should help Carter find the field early next fall.
Nico Iamaleava, Quarterback
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Five-star
Rivals: Five-star
247sports: Five-star
One of the early wins in Tennessee’s recruiting class, Iamaleava committed to Tennessee in March and marked the first five-star commit in Josh Heupel’s tenure. Iamaleava committed to Tennessee over Georgia, Oregon and other top programs.
The Downey, California native has already arrived in Knoxville and is currently going through Tennessee’s bowl practices. Iamaleava ranks as a five-star and the No. 4 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. Early playing time for a quarterback is never easy but Iamaleava will have a chance to play as a freshman in Knoxville.
Jack Luttrell, Safety
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Luttrell became the first commit in Tennessee’s recruiting class when he committed to the Vols in August 2021. The Georgia safety actively recruited for Tennessee throughout the recruiting cycle and is already in Knoxville going through bowl practices.
The 6-foot-1, 187 pound safety ranks as the nation’s No. 942 player according to the 247sports composite rankings. Luttrell isn’t one of the highly touted prospects in Tennessee’s class but the Vols’ safety struggles will afford him an opportunity.
Trevor Duncan, Athlete
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Duncan became one of Tennessee’s first commits in the 2023 cycle, as the Knoxville native committed to the Vols in April. The Knoxville Catholic standout could play on either side of the line of scrimmage in Knoxville.
The 6-foot-5, 277 pound athlete ranks as the nation’s No. 700 player and the state of Tennessee’s 20th best player according to the 247sports composite rankings. Duncan is unlikely to play a major role as a freshman.
Nathan Robinson, Edge Rusher
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Robinson committed to Tennessee over Ole Miss and Kentucky in April. The instate defensive lineman was a strong early recruiting win for Josh Heupel’s staff after the Vols’ instate struggles during the 2022 recruiting cycle.
The 6-foot-5, 272 pound defensive lineman ranks as the nation’s No. 544 player and the state of Tennessee’s No. 16 player according to the 247sports composite rankings. Robinson could become a factor on defense as a freshman but seems more likely to be a special teams player in his first year in Knoxville.
Nathan Leacock, Wide Receiver
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Four-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Four-star
Leacock committed to Tennessee in July over instate schools North Carolina and North Carolina State. The 6-foot-3 receiver was a fringe four-star recruit before breaking out with a massive senior season at Raleigh’s Millbrook High School.
Now, Leacock ranks as the No. 107 player and No. 18 receiver in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. The tall receiver also stars on the track as a sprinter in high school though isn’t expected to compete there in college. Earning serious playing time at receiver for Tennessee is a difficult proposition but Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt’s departures to the NFL create a path for Leacock.
Cameron Seldon, Athlete
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Four-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Four-star
Seldon committed to Tennessee in July over Penn State, Maryland and others. The Heathsville, Virginia native is closer to both Happy Valley and College Park than Knoxville while also having family ties to Penn State. Still, Seldon decided to come south and play in Josh Heupel’s offense.
The 6-foot-1, 220 pound athlete plays predominantly running back at Northumberland High School but is more likely to end up at receiver at Tennessee. Seldon ranks as the No. 115 player and No. 5 athlete in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. While Tennessee lacks running back depth, there’s little path to early playing time in the Vols’ backfield in 2023. Seldon’s path to early playing time is more likely at receiver but is also far from a given.
Chandavian Bradley, Edge Rusher
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Four-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Four-star
Bradley committed to Tennessee over South Carolina and Texas A&M in early July. The Platte City, Missouri native was Tennessee’s second highest rated commit at the time and is the third highest on signing day.
The 6-foot-4, 209 pound defensive end has elite talent and an extremely high ceiling. Bradley ranks as the No. 71 player and No. 3 edge rusher in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. There’s a path to early playing time for the blue chip recruit but it’s far from a given.
Ayden Bussell, Interior Offensive Line
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Bussell was one of the first commits in Tennessee’s 2023 cycle, choosing the Vols over Ole Miss, Kentucky and Vanderbilt in January. The Mount Juliet, Tennessee native plays offensive tackle in high school but projects as a guard in college.
The 6-foot-5, 275 pound prospect ranks as the nation’s No. 827 player according to the 247sports composite rankings. Bussell does not project as an instant impact player for the Vols next fall.
Tyree Weathersby, Defensive Lineman
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Four-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Weathersby committed to Tennessee over South Carolina, Kentucky and Mississippi State on the first day of July. The 6-foot-4, 251 pound defensive lineman was a low three-star recruit when he committed to Tennessee before climbing to a fringe four-star recruit following his senior season.
The Douglasville, Georgia native ranks as the state’s 30th and the nation’s 312th best player according to the 247sports composite rankings. The composite four-star recruit also ranks as the No. 42 defensive lineman in the country. With strong depth in the interior of the defensive line, Weathersby will have a tough pass to consistent playing time as a freshman.
Larry Johnson III, Junior College Offensive Tackle
ESPN: N/R
On3: Four-star
Rivals: N/R
247sports: Three-star
The junior college offensive lineman committed to Tennessee early this month before arriving in Knoxville for bowl practice last week. Johnson comes to Tennessee from Hutchinson Community College but is originally a Savannah, Georgia native.
Johnson ranks as the nation’s No. 14 junior college player and No. 4 junior college offensive tackle according to the 247sports composite rankings. Tennessee has to replace starting right tackle Darnell Wright in 2023 but Johnson isn’t the favorite to do so.
Vysen Lang, Offensive Lineman
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Lang was fortunate to visit Tennessee while the Vols boasted the No. 1 ranking in the nation, which certainly seemed to be a big impact in the Alabama native’s recruitment. That and daily text conversations with OL Coach Glen Elarbee.
Just about a week ago, Lang posted a picture to Twitter of himself along with Josh Heupel and defensive line coach Rodney Garner. The 6-foot-4, 335-pounder ranks at No. 744 nationally but is a top 70 ranked offensive lineman in the country.
Jalen Smith, Inside Linebacker
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Three-star
Smith committed to Tennessee in July over Pittsburgh, Texas and Virginia. The 6-foot inside linebacker is a tackling machine at Atlanta’s Grayson High School, tallying 173 tackles as a junior and 154 tackles as a senior. Slightly undersized, Smith fell through the cracks and has the potential to be the most underrated prospect in the Vols’ class.
The inside linebacker ranks as a four-star and the nation’s No. 408 player and No. 32 linebacker according to the 247sports composite rankings. Smith is the second highest ranked inside linebacker in Tennessee’s signing class but is already on campus for bowl practices and has the instincts to contribute right away in Knoxville.
Jeremiah Telander, Linebacker
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Telander became the 12th member of Tennessee’s recruiting class, committing to the Vols over Florida, Louisville and North Carolina in July. The 6-foot-2, 217 pound linebacker predominantly plays inside linebacker but has also thrived as a pass rusher in high school.
Telander ranks as a three-star recruit and the nation’s No. 727 player according to the 247sports composite rankings. The Gainesville, Georgia native doesn’t project as an early contributor but the Vols’ questions at linebacker will afford him the opportunity.
Max Gilbert, Kicker
ESPN: NR
On3: NR
Rivals: NR
247sports: NR
A walk on kicker, Gilbert committed to Tennessee in September. The Memphis native plays his prep football at Lausanne Collegiate School.
The Vols are replacing their top two kickers from 2022: Chase McGrath and Toby Wilson. Gilbert will have a chance to start for the job but Indiana transfer Charles Campbell is the favorite to win the job.
Shamurad Umarov, Offensive Tackle
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Four-star
Umarov committed to Tennessee over Georgia, LSU and Michigan State in mid July as the Vols withstood a late push from Georgia to land the highly touted offensive tackle. Umarov plays his high school football in Alpharetta, Georgia but was born in Russia.
The 6-foot-6, 337-pound lineman ranks as a four-star recruit and the No. 289 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. Umarov also ranks as the nation’s 28th best prep offensive tackle and Georgia’s 26th best prep player. Like the vast majority of freshman offensive lineman, Umarov is unlikely to earn early playing time in college.
Cristian Conyer, Cornerback
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Three-star
Conyer committed to Tennessee over Kentucky in July after a long back-and-forth recruitment. It was always either the Vols or Wildcats for the Bowling Green, Kentucky native. In the end, Tennessee beat out the instate school, kickstarting a strong cornerback class for Willie Martinez.
The 6-foot-1 corner ranks as a three-star recruit and the nation’s No. 553 player according to the 247sports composite rankings. Like the rest of the members in Tennessee’s cornerback class, Conyer will have a chance to earn early playing time. Conyer is currently going through bowl practices as the Vols prepare for the Orange Bowl.
Jordan Matthews, Cornerback
ESPN: Four-star
On3: Four-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Four-star
It was an upset when Matthews announced his commitment to Tennessee over Texas, LSU and Michigan in mid August. The Baton Rouge native’s dad played at LSU but it was Texas who was blindsided by Matthews’ commitment to Tennessee.
Matthews ranks as the No. 177 player and No. 21 cornerback in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-1, 184 pound corner will have plenty of chances to earn early playing time in Knoxville. Tennessee returns a plethora of experience at cornerback but that experience has not performed at a high level.
John Slaughter, Safety
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Slaughter committed to Tennessee over Ole Miss in June after taking two visits to Knoxville in a month before announcing his decision. The Southaven, Mississippi native had a big senior season, tallying six interceptions for Southaven High School.
The 6-foot-1, 195 pound safety ranks as the nation’s No. 583 player and the state’s No. 11 player according to the 247sports composite rankings. Slaughter doesn’t come to Knoxville with a lot of fanfare, but Tennessee’s safety room leaves opportunities for anyone to earn a starting spot. The Mississippi native is in Knoxville participating in bowl practices.
Rickey Gibson, Cornerback
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Four-star
Rivals: Four-star
247sports: Three-star
Gibson committed to Tennessee over Georgia and Penn State in mid-August. The Vols persistent effort led to them beating out Bulldogs and Nittany Lions for Trussville, Alabama native.
The 6-foot 171 pound corner ranks as a four-star and the nation’s No. 293 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. Gibson has a chance to help Tennessee’s struggling cornerback room right away but there’s no guarantee. Tennessee returns an abundance of contributors from the 2022 team and also includes multiple sought after corners.
Charles Campbell, Kicker
The former Indiana kicker ranks No. 8 in program history in career field goals made with 37. During the 2022 season, Campbell, a redshirt-senior, started all 10 games as the place kicker. Campbell connected on 14 of 20 kicks this season with three being blocked. Campbell’s long on the year was 51-yards.
Out of the 12 kickoff attempts that Campbell had this season, seven went for a touchdown with none going out of bounds.
Campbell was a perfect 27-for-27 on PATs during the 2022 season.
Charles Campbell has knocked through 34-of-39 career field goals with a long of 55 yards during the 2021 season.
Nate Spillman, Wide Receiver
ESPN: N/A
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Tennessee’s fourth commit to the class of 2023, wide receiver Nate Spillman, comes from the Volunteer State. The Lipscomb Academy standout in Nashville ranks as the No. 40 player from the state of Tennessee and the No. 230 receiver in the class.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder chose Tennessee over Arkansas State and Marshall last March. Tennessee will have a few added young players in rotation next year, like Kaleb Webb and Squirrel White, who will likely see time before the young Spillman sees a role on the field.
McCallan Castles, Tight End
Castles heads to Tennessee with one year of eligibility remaining after previously spending three years at UC-Davis. Castles was a three-star recruit out of South Lake Tahoe, CA in the class of 2018.
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end has produced over 730 receiving yards combined in the past two seasons along with six touchdowns. Castles was named an All-Big Sky Conference First Team selection following the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
In 28 career games played, Castles has 69 receptions for 928 yards and nine touchdowns.
Andrej Karic, Offensive Lineman (Right Tackle)
After three years spent at the University of Texas, Andrej Karic is transferring to the Tennessee football program.
Karic played in all 12 games for the Longhorns during the 2022 season, which included starts against Oklahoma State, UTSA, and TCU.
The 6-foot-5, 306-pound tackle was a highly touted four-star recruit from the class of 2020 before committing to the Longhorns.
With Tennessee RT Darnell Wright heading to the NFL this offseason, Karic could find himself on the winning end of a positional battle to be the Vols’ starting right tackle next season.
Khalifa Keith, Running Back
ESPN: Three-star
On3: Three-star
Rivals: Three-star
247sports: Three-star
Keith committed to Tennessee in November less than two weeks after decommitting from Kentucky. The Birmingham, Alabama native rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns as at Parker High School.
Keith ranks as the nation’s No. 583 player and No. 40 running back in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. The Vols return their top three rushers from last season but depth is not a strong suit in the Vols’ running back room and Keith is the only true running back in Tennessee’s class. Keith likely won’t be at the top of the depth chart to open the season but an injury or two could easily thrust the Alabama native into playing time as a freshman.
Keenan Pili, Linebacker
After four seasons at BYU, linebacker Keenan Pili is coming to Rocky Top for his final year of eligibility. Pili racked up 29 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble during his 2022 campaign.
Tennessee’s lone signing day transfer, Pili noted he was “Home” on his announcement post via Twitter. Shortly after, Tennessee made the signing official.
The Provo, Utah native totaled 190 tackles, 3.5 sacks and four pass breakups in his first four college seasons.The inside linebacker had his best college season in 2020 when he totaled 72 tackles in the slightly shortened COVID-19 season. Pili had a quiet 2021 season before returning this year and totaling 62 tackles and one sack. The Vols also signed a strong linebacker prep class beating out Alabama for Smyrna four-star linebacker Aaron Carter while also adding four-star Jalen Smith and three-star Jeremiah Telander.
