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Tennessee starts July off with fireworks on the recruiting trail
Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tennessee starts July off with fireworks on the recruiting trail

Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers have started July off with a bang on the recruiting trail.

The Vols landed not one, not two, but three big-time commitments on Tuesday. Heupel's 2026 class went from 13 to 16 recruits and in the process moved up the rankings to No. 12 in the nation.

Recruiting rankings are nothing but the promise of potential, but consistently bringing in highly-ranked talent is the mark of a strong program. For instance, Nick Saban cleaned up for years on the recruiting trail.

As such, Tuesday was a huge day for the Vols.

The biggest commitment of the day came from linebacker TJ White, a four-star linebacker from Jackson, Mississippi. He's ranked as the No. 5 player at his position, according to 247Sports, choosing Tennessee over Auburn, Florida State and Mississippi State.

His high school teammate, four-star defensive lineman Dereon Albert, went the Vols' way as well. Despite interest in North Carolina, Mississippi State and Arkansas, the 6-foot-2, 305-pound recruit chose the Volunteers.

He's ranked as the No. 28 defensive lineman in the 2026 class.

Last but not least was an in-state commitment from three-star cornerback Jayman "JT" Theodore from Chattanooga, Tennessee. He's originally from Montreal, so he'll be bringing some international flair to Rocky Top with him. According to the 247Sports Composite, Theodore is the No. 64 cornerback in the nation.

Tennessee's 2025 class finished No. 11 in the national recruiting rankings, so the Vols are well on their way to surpassing that ranking thanks to this huge day to start off July.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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