2026 5-star recruit reportedly no longer expected to take official visit with the Tennessee Vols

One of the Tennessee Vols' top 2026 recruiting targets is reportedly not expected to take an official visit to UT as previously expected. 

According to Rivals.com recruiting analyst Ryan O'Bleness, 2026 five-star safety Joey O'Brien isn't planning to take his previously scheduled official visit to Tennessee.

"He (O'Brien) previously had an official visit set to Tennessee as well, but will no longer head to Knoxville," wrote O'Bleness. 

O'Brien, 6-foot-3/185 lbs from Glenside, Pa., is rated by 247Sports as the No. 4 safety in the nation and the No. 30 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. 

On3's Steve Wilftong noted on Friday that O'Brien "also likes Tennessee", but it sounds like the Vols are no longer a serious contender for the five-star recruit. 

O'Bleness pointed out that Clemson, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Penn State are the final four schools for O'Brien. 

The Pennsylvania native is expected to announce his commitment on June 20. Unless something wild happens over the next couple of weeks, it almost certainly won't be Tennessee that wins this recruiting battle.