'I just don't think that's Josh Heupel's nature' - Vols insider explains strategy that Tennessee utilizes that some fans don't like

The Tennessee Vols hosted one of their biggest recruiting weekends of the summer this past weekend, but so far, UT has yet to add any commits to its 2026 recruiting class. 

This is somewhat of a trend for Tennessee. The Vols don't typically add a plethora of commits after a big recruiting weekend, unlike some other programs. 

There's a reason for this. According to VolQuest's Austin Price, it's because Josh Heupel and his staff don't put pressure on recruits to commit -- which is something that most recruits and their families appreciate. 

"I do think they are never going to be a program that tries to squeeze a kid or push a kid to do something," explained Price during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's Ramon and Will on Tuesday. "I just don't think that's Josh Heupel's nature. And lot of programs do that. So I know some fans get some angst [and say], 'There were no commitments from last weekend, or there were no commitments out of the last couple of weekends' -- much like a year ago. And then all of a sudden, boom, boom, boom (a bunch of commits). And I think you'll start to see that later this week. I mean, Tennessee's going to have a run of commits over the next two weeks, and it won't be sky is falling."

"At the end of the day, they're never going to be ones that push, push, push," added Price. "And (four-star offensive lineman) Breck Kolojay kind of talked about that with (VolQuest's) Matt Ray. His mom [said] how they appreciate how [with] Tennessee it was just a normal weekend, and they were hanging out and spending time [with everyone]. Does that end up with Breck Kolojay in this class? I don't know, but I think every kid is looking for a lack of pressure when they go on these visits. But a lot of schools have success when they do put the pressure on, because kids don't want to lose their spot. And they may like two schools, and then they're told one is going to come off the board -- they feel the pressure. Well, I need to get in and not wait. And I may not see that other school I like, but I'm gonna secure my spot at this school. That happens a lot."