The Tennessee Volunteers football program had a stellar recruiting weekend in Knoxville, hosting some of the nation’s premier high school prospects.
By Sunday afternoon, the Vols had secured two new commitments for their 2025 class.
On Saturday, four-star safety Lagonza Hayward joined the ranks, followed by four-star tight end Da’Saahn Brame on Sunday.
These additions bring Tennessee’s 2025 class to 20 commitments and elevate their ranking to No. 7 nationally.
The Vols are also in contention for additional top-tier talent, including four-star cornerback Onis Konanbanny and five-star-plus offensive tackle David Sanders Jr.
Josh Pate of Late Kick has highlighted Tennessee’s rising prominence, stating, “Tennessee becomes more formidable with each passing day.
“Tennessee is the team to watch. If you’re wondering which program that’s not currently among college football’s elite could soon join their ranks, look no further than Tennessee.”
He praised the efforts of head coach Josh Heupel and his staff for their adept recruitment, early evaluations, and strategic offers, which are crucial in the modern NIL landscape.
“Real recruiting in the NIL era is several layers deep,” Pate said. “It is not just, ‘I can get you this much money over this many years.’ There is an entire plan that has to be laid out.
“Tennessee is one of the sneakiest NIL operations in college football right now. It’s not just because they have money they can spend, it’s because they understand it’s not just the A part but B, C, D, E, F, G part as well.”
Spyre Sports, the leading collective supporting the Vols, has earned recognition from On3 as the “No. 1 most ambitious collective.”
They have secured endorsement deals with notable Tennessee athletes through The Volunteer Club, including this season’s highly-regarded quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, who reportedly signed an $8 million deal over three years.
As Heupel enters his fourth season at the helm, he aims to replicate the success of the 2022 season when Tennessee reached as high as No. 1 in the rankings and finished with an 11-2 record.
Last season, the Vols concluded with a 9-4 record.
Tennessee is viewed as a potential dark horse for the new 12-team College Football Playoff format. The Vols will kick off their season against Chattanooga on Saturday, August 31.