Tennessee Vols recruiting target that's expected to make a decision soon described as a football 'unicorn'

One of the Tennessee Vols' biggest remaining 2026 recruiting targets was described as a "unicorn" this week at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge in Indianapolis. 

Four-star wide receiver Joel Wyatt, 6-foot-4/195 lbs from Bell Buckle, TN, is set to announce his commitment on July 6. Wyatt, who is rated as the No. 2 player in the state of Tennessee, is down to the Vols and the Vanderbilt Commodores. 

There's some debate over which position Wyatt will play at the next level, which could impact his decision. Tennessee sees Wyatt as a hybrid linebacker/pass rusher. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is promising an opportunity to play wide receiver and safety. 

That wide skill set is why Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman referred to Wyatt as a "unicorn" this week. 

From Rivals.com: Four-star athlete Joel Wyatt is down to Tennessee and Vanderbilt -- and he will choose from those two in-state programs on July 6. Wyatt is getting courted by the Volunteers to play a hybrid role on defense -- including time at linebacker -- and by the Commodores at safety.

Wyatt was in the conversation as the Defensive Back MVP as a lockdown cornerback at the Rivals Five-Star -- with an interception during the 7-on-7 portion and outstanding reps all around. Wyatt also has excellent tape playing not only on defense, but at wide receiver -- and at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds -- has that in his bag of tricks, too.

Tennessee shouldn't make false promises to Wyatt, but they should probably tell the talented recruit that they'll give him a shot at nearly every position on the field. It's clear that Wyatt possesses rare athleticism, and he can play several different positions because of his size. 

Who knows, maybe Wyatt will turn out to be a star two-way player at wide receiver and defensive back. The Vols shouldn't box the four-star recruit into just one position -- at least not before he's even arrived on campus.