Tennessee Vols expected to add elite recruit to 2025 class during early signing period

The Tennessee Vols are expected to add an elite recruit to their 2025 class when the early signing period gets underway this week. 

All signs point to Tennessee signing 2025 four-star defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell, a former Clemson Tigers commit who reopened his recruitment in September. 

Tennessee has been battling the North Carolina Tar Heels for Campbell. But with North Carolina moving on from head coach Mack Brown last week, it looks like the Vols are going to be the winners of this key recruiting battle. 

"We like Tennessee to land elite defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell, who is considering the Volunteers and North Carolina down the stretch," noted 247Sports' Tom Loy on Tuesday. "The Tar Heels had a real shot, but once head coach Mack Brown was let go, it seemed like that's where the needle was moved in favor of Tennessee."

Campbell, 6-foot-4/275 lbs from Durham, NC, is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 5 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 2 player in the state of North Carolina. He's also rated as the No. 37 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class (which means he's almost a five-star recruit). 

The North Carolina native attends the same high school (Southern) that former Vols running back Jaylen Wright attended. 

Tennessee currently has the No. 10 recruiting class in the nation. If Campbell lands with the Vols as expected, it should help boost that ranking a bit.