2026 Tennessee Vols 4-star recruiting target should consider switching positions after seeing James Pearce's NFL rookie contract

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated May 13, 2025 11:28 AM ET

One of the Tennessee Vols' top 2026 recruiting targets is four-star wide receiver Joel Wyatt.

Wyatt, 6-foot-4/195 lbs from Bell Buckle, TN, is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 6 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 2 player in the state of Tennessee. He's also rated as the No. 45 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class.

Vanderbilt is perceived as one of the frontrunners for Wyatt due to the fact that the Commodores are recruiting him as a wide receiver.

There are concerns, though, about whether Wyatt will stick at wide receiver due to his struggles with drops earlier this spring at the Under Armour Nashville camp.

Additionally, 247Sports' Cooper Petagna described Wyatt as one of the "most polarizing athletes" in the 2026 recruiting class.

According to GoVols247's Ryan Callahan, Tennessee is recruiting Wyatt as a potential edge rusher.

That's a path that Wyatt should strongly consider after seeing former Vols edge rusher James Pearce sign his NFL rookie deal this week.

Pearce, who was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, signed a fully guaranteed four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons this week worth $16.78 million.

✍️ You're officially a #DirtyBird, @JamesPearceJr10! https://t.co/6O5BmamG9Q pic.twitter.com/4ntbNOFRNj
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 12, 2025

Wyatt's best path to the NFL might be as an edge rusher. And the Vols have had success in recent years when it comes to sending edge rushers to the NFL (Pearce and Byron Young, a third round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams).

Everyone wants to be a superstar wide receiver and receive a Ja'Marr Chase-like contract in the NFL. But that's an outcome that's extremely rare for wide receivers. Edge rushers, however, can earn mega paydays, too. And Wyatt, while he needs to bulk up, has the height and the athleticism to be an effective edge rusher.

If the Tennessee native wants to earn a first-round NFL contract, he may need to consider making the full-time switch to edge rusher considering the concerns that already exist about his longterm potential as a wide receiver.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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