Elite 5-star recruit says the Tennessee Vols are one of the programs with a chance to flip him from Big 10 school

2027 five-star running back Kemon Spell has been committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions for over a year, but he's still listening to what other programs have to say.

Spell, 5-foot-9/205 lbs from McKeesport, PA, is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 1 running back in the nation and the No. 9 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.

The Penn State commit told On3 this week that the Tennessee Vols are among the programs with a chance to flip him.

“Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan, USC, Notre Dame, and I’m interested in Alabama,” said Spell to On3 when asked which schools have a chance to flip him.

Scouting report via 247Sports: A mix between a tank and a jackrabbit, which is an extremely difficult combination to tackle. A naturally low-to-the-ground runner with true workhorse capabilities as he constantly bounces off defenders or cuts around them to find extra yardage. Spent much of sophomore campaign deployed as a fullback in a Wing-T offense. Ran absolutely wild in Pennsylvania’s WPIAL Class 4A playoffs with 280-yard and 274-yard rushing performances. Not a true burner, but can hit the gas when a crease opens up. Frequently thrashes forward at the first sign of contact and almost always seems to be falling forward. Tested reasonably well as a ninth grader at the National Combine in San Antonio and has impressed as a pass catcher on the offseason camp circuit. 

Spell is planning to visit Tennessee on November 1 for the Vols' matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners.

Tennessee recently missed out on 2026 five-star running back Savion Hiter (he committed to the Michigan Wolverines). Swiping Spell from Penn State would certainly be a nice consolation prize.