In-state recruiting is vital, especially in SEC territory where elite programs can be found seemingly a stone's throw away.
That's what makes the commitment of Javonte Smith, three-star cornerback from Jackson, Tennessee, so important for the Tennessee Volunteers.
He may not be Josh Heupel's highest-rated 2026 commitment. That honor currently belongs to five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. Smith is ranked as a top 50 player from the state, though, and he was considering leaving Tennessee as well.
Arkansas, Missouri and West Virginia were also also in the running. In fact, he took officials to all three programs before his official with the Volunteers on June 20.
Ultimately, Heupel and the Vols made it appealing for Smith to want to stay in-state. It was the official visit to Knoxville that sealed the deal.
"Honestly, just being there (that) weekend just made me feel at home, just made me feel way more comfortable than I've felt at the other schools," Smith said, according to Ryan Callahan of 247Sports.
"Being around the coaches and the staff, they just showed me so much love that I could only ask for (from) a coaching staff like that, so it just made me feel at home. And I feel like I can develop myself there — not only as a human, but as I continue my journey in football and after football."
BREAKING ATH Javonte Smith has committed to Tennessee, @ChadSimmons_ reports
— Rivals (@Rivals) July 8, 2025
Read: https://t.co/hx7QKMYmFT pic.twitter.com/hoNdoWnVD9
The 247Sports Composite ranks Smith is the No. 80 cornerback in the 2026 class. He's a multi-sport high school athlete who first got on the radar of Tennessee and others as a wide receiver. He caught 48 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior in 2024, but ultimately flashed a ton of potential on the defensive side of the football as well.
As a cornerback, Smith notched 21 tackles and four interceptions. He took two of those interceptions back for touchdowns. While he did make a name for himself as a wideout, Tennessee, and everyone else in his top group, feels he's ultimately a college cornerback.
"Actually, Tennessee came to me at receiver at first and then flipped to DB," Smith explained. "(They like) the speed, footwork — just me being able to be athletic overall on the defensive side of the ball using my baseball skills to be able to track the ball as a football player."
Smith is Tennessee's 18th 2026 commitment.
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