Since securing back-to-back rivalry wins over Florida and Alabama, Tennessee football has been firing on all cylinders in recruiting. Following the Alabama game, 2026 four-star offensive lineman Brandon Anderson committed to Tennessee before even leaving Knoxville, and three-star defensive lineman Tyson Bacon also pledged to the Vols after the Crimson Tide victory.
The momentum doesn’t appear to be slowing down for Tennessee. Four-star linebacker Austin Howard, who had committed to Mississippi State, attended the Alabama game and hinted at a commitment announcement. While he hasn’t officially stated his choice, it’s rumored he may flip to Tennessee.
Another high-profile visitor for the Alabama game, four-star linebacker and South Carolina commit Rodney Colton Jr., could also be leaning toward a switch to Tennessee. 247Sports analyst Tom Loy recently predicted Colton’s flip and has added further predictions for four-star defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell and five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys to join the Vols.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Colton ranks No. 152 overall for 2026, No. 12 among linebackers, and No. 18 in Georgia. Tennessee’s recruiting efforts have surged with major victories on Rocky Top, landing them the No. 8 class for 2025 and No. 7 for 2026. While there’s still a long road ahead, Heupel’s success on the field and in recruiting has the program trending up.
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