Tennessee Vols are working to steal one of the top 5-star recruits in the nation from a national championship contender

The Tennessee Vols are working to swipe a 2027 five-star running back from one of the top programs in the nation.

2027 five-star running back Kemon Spell, 5-foot-9/205 lbs from McKeesport, PA, has been committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions since August, 2024. Spell, however, is still communicating with other programs, including Tennessee.

The Pennsylvania native will reportedly visit Tennessee for the Volunteers' matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners on November 1.

“Just the relationship I built with the coach,” said Spell to On3 of his interest in Tennessee. "It’s been a great process and everything so it stood out to me and I love that for me and my family.”

While Spell is open to seeing what other schools have to offer, it doesn't sound like he's eager to decommit from Penn State.

“It will take a lot for any school to change me,” said Spell to On3. “Penn State is a great school.”

Spell 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.

It won't be easy to flip Spell from his home state school (Spell's hometown is just 2.5 hours from Penn State...it's 7.5 hours from Tennessee). The Vols, however, are shooting their shot. And that's a wise move. You never know what can happen in recruiting -- especially in the NIL era.