Tennessee Gets Good News on 11-Time Pro Bowler's Son

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated May 28, 2025 11:29 PM ET

As the saying goes, like father, like son.

The son of former NFL tight end Jason Witten, Cooper, doesn't play offense like his dad did. But it's possible he could go to his father's school.

On3's Matt Ray wrote linebacker Cooper Witten will visit the Tennessee Volunteers over the final weekend of May. The Volunteers made Witten an offer last August before his sophomore high school season.

“I didn’t really expect it much,” Witten said of his offer in August. “I have been reaching out to some of their coaches and talking, but I did not expect this today.

"The energy felt like it was going to come soon but not today.”

Jason Witten, who made 11 NFL Pro Bowls in 17 seasons, 16 of which he spent with the Dallas Cowboys, played three seasons at Tennessee from 2000-02.

As a junior in 2002, Witten caught 39 passes for 493 yards and five touchdowns.

His son, Cooper, is ranked the No. 1 linebacker in the 2027 recruiting class according to On3.

2027 No. 1 LB Cooper Witten will visit Tennessee this weekend, @matt_ray_ reports

Cooper is the son of 11-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten.

Read: https://t.co/2xTfQybFPy pic.twitter.com/8Am5zxoUHG
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 27, 2025

Cooper Witten is also the No. 1 linebacker in the 2027 class according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Based on the same rating, Witten is the No. 7 Texas recruit and No. 17 overall prospect in the class.

Standing at 6-foot-1.5 and 210 pounds, Witten plays high school football at Liberty Christian in Argyle, Texas.

Cooper said his father is excited about the possibility of him playing at Tennessee.

“He was super pumped and excited for me,” Cooper said. “All of my family really were too because they are all huge Tennessee fans. He just told me that he doesn’t want to pressure me to go there because he went there or all of that or because we have raised you to love the Vols growing up.

"He just said he wanted me to make the decision that was best for me, and it was great advice he gave me, but he was super pumped up and happy for me.”

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

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