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Tennessee in Danger of Losing Coveted Playmaker Amid College Football Rumors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sahil Goswami | Last updated May 23, 2025 1:06 PM ET

The Tennessee Volunteers may have a recruiting storm brewing. With competition heating up across the SEC, the Vols are now facing a major challenge in holding onto one of their prized 2026 commitments, four-star tight end Carson Sneed. The 6-foot-5 ½, 235-pound Nashville native committed to Tennessee last August, but recent developments suggest the commitment may be on shaky ground.

While Sneed initially pledged to the Volunteers, a decision influenced in part by his brother’s presence on the roster at the time, he’s since taken visits to rival programs, sparking concern among Vols fans.

His brother’s transfer to North Carolina Tar Heels raised early flags, and Carson’s recent official visit to Chapel Hill didn’t go unnoticed.

That wasn’t the end of it. Florida, Miami, and Ole Miss are now in hot pursuit, and Tennessee may be losing grip on their local talent.

Florida Gators offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Russ Callaway recently reignited interest, and the connection with Sneed seems to be growing fast.

NEWS Tennessee 4-star TE commit Carson Sneed has locked in an official visit to Florida, @Blake_Alderman reports

Read: https://t.co/yZ4gkgezek pic.twitter.com/0VSi1O47wf
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 23, 2025

“He basically made it known to me that he thinks I’m one of, if not the best, tight end in my class,” Sneed said per On3. "He really wants me and wants to use me in all kinda of ways. Whether it’s blocking or in the pass game. All sorts of ways. I feel like that’s how I’d best be used, so I feel like we complement each other very well."

We’re excited to announce that 2026 4⭐️ Top 300 TE Carson Sneed out of Nashville, TN is locked in to attend the TSU Southeast Showcase Mega Camp, SMSB, and adidas on June 12, 2025! pic.twitter.com/vSMnMhtebS
— SoundMind SoundBody® (@smsbacademy) May 22, 2025

Sneed is scheduled to visit Florida on the weekend of June 13–15. Ole Miss Rebels and Miami Hurricanes are also on his official visit list ahead of Tennessee’s own scheduled visit on June 20. With schools like Florida pointing to their history of using tight ends effectively including Kyle Pitts the Vols must act fast. If Sneed flips, it wouldn’t just be a loss on paper, but a blow to Tennessee’s long-term offensive plans.

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

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