The son of a former Tennessee football legend has officially entered the 2027 rankings in its early, early stages.
According to 247 Sports’ initial 2027 rankings list on Wednesday, Cooper Witten – the son of former Tennessee tight end Jason Witten – is a Top 25 overall prospect in the 2027 rankings.
Witten plays safety for Liberty Christian in Argyle, TX, where his dad Jason is the head coach.
247’s rankings have Witten listed as the No. 25 overall player, the No. 2 safety in the class, and the No. 5 player from the Lone Star State.
Though still very early in his football career, Witten put together an impressive freshman season in 2023. Witten recorded 82 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions (one pick-six), two forced fumbles, and three kick blocks to begin his high school journey, according to 247.
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Witten also plays basketball and runs for the track team at Liberty Christian.
It’s unclear if Tennessee has had any contact with Witten but 247 does not have the Vols listed on his slim offer sheet so far. Witten reportedly has six offers from Baylor, Duke, Missouri, Oklahoma, TCU, and UAB.
Jason Witten’s name is held dear by many Vol fans as a strong ambassador for Tennessee football during his time in professional football and in the booth. Witten joined the Vols’ football team from Elizabethton High School and would become a First Team All-SEC selection after the 2002 season.
Witten’s journey to Rocky Top is well-documented as he believed he was headed to Tennessee as a defensive end based on a promise from then-head coach Phillip Fulmer. But when spots opened up for Tennessee’s offense with injuries in the middle of the season, Witten begrudgingly accepted the position switch. All worked out, though, as the former Vol would go on to become a storied tight-end in the SEC and even set the Vols’ tight-end records for receptions (39) and yards (493) during his senior season.
Dallas Cowboys great Jason Witten ended his NFL career with 11 Pro Bowls and was a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection.
A photograph of Witten was placed on the back of the Neyland Stadium jumbotron for many years until it was replaced with a picture of current NFL star Alvin Kamara in 2021.
Tennessee does not have any commitments in the infant stages of the 2027 class but did make some major news in the 2026 class recently. In early August, Tennessee landed a commitment from QB Faizon Brandon, the top overall prospect in the 2026 class according to 247’s rankings.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee football recruiting news.
