Tennessee Football Gets Good News on Coveted Player

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 8:14 PM ET

The Tennessee Volunteers landed another prospect for their 2026 recruiting class.

On3's Austin Price reported Wednesday three-star safety KJ McClain committed to Tennessee. McClain's announcement came days after his official visit to Knoxville, Tennessee and days prior to his next scheduled visit to the Michigan State Spartans.

McClain has cancelled his trip to Michigan State.

“I chose Tennessee because it’s a great place to be and I felt really comfortable,” McClain told Price. “I saw that Coach (Heupel) really cares for you his guys.”

McClain said he wants to primarily play safety but also wants to showcase his skills elsewhere in the Volunteers secondary.

“I’m a versatile player and I can play the post, a half, or I can come down and play the slot,” McClain said. “So they see me as a player that they can plug in anywhere and play.”

According to the 247Sports composite rankings, McClain is a top 50 safety in the 2026 recruiting class. He is the No. 10 New Jersey prospect and ranked 607th overall nationally as well.

McClain plays high school football at St. Joseph Regional in Montvale, New Jersey.

BREAKING Safety KJ McClain has committed to Tennessee, @AustinPriceless reports

Read: https://t.co/I8T8uGabJH pic.twitter.com/Hk0ZFChJlU
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 11, 2025

With McClain on board, Tennessee has nine commitments for the 2026 recruiting class. McClain is the first safety and fourth defensive commit for the Volunteers in the class.

Tennessee has received verbal commitments from five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon and five-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda. But the Volunteers will have to land more commitments to have a higher-rated incoming class.

The Volunteers' 2026 class is ranked 30th according to the 247Sports rankings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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