Latest news with #JoshHeupel
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12 hours ago
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Tennessee Gets Good News for Coveted Player
Tennessee Gets Good News for Coveted Player originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tennessee Volunteers added another prospect to their 2026 recruiting class. On3's Chad Simmons reported Friday three-star offensive lineman Edward Baker committed to the Volunteers. Baker told the Tennessee coaching staff his commitment plans Thursday. Advertisement 'They were so excited,' Baker told Simmons. 'They have been waiting for me to commit. I always had a spot and they have been telling me that since they offered me." Baker added that he nearly gave his verbal to the Volunteers last December. But after official visits to the Arkansas Razorbacks, NC State Wolfpack, Ole Miss Rebels and Penn State Nittany Lions, the offensive lineman was sure that Tennessee was right for him. Tennessee Volunteers football head coach Josh Heupel© Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'I love everything about Tennessee. It is a top program with great coaches," Baker told Simmons. "They look out for their players, they give their players a chance to compete and it is a big-time SEC program with top players. Their fan base is crazy, the atmosphere on game day is the best and it is a school I am excited about playing for. Advertisement 'Tennessee is a special place.' Baker also visited the Virginia Cavaliers during his recruitment process. The offensive lineman received offers from many other programs as well, including the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers according to 247Sports. Based on the 247Sports Composite rankings, Baker is a top 100 offensive lineman in the 2026 class. Baker is No. 94 overall at his position and the No. 23 Maryland prospect too. Baker is the 11th pledge the Volunteers have received in the 2026 recruiting class. Related: Tennessee's Chaz Lanier Predicted to Join $269 Million Star in NBA Mock Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
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2026 three-star OL Edward Baker breaks down commitment to Tennessee
Class of 2026 three-star offensive tackle Edward Baker was pursued by many schools throughout his recruitment, but he has now made his commitment decision. On Friday, Baker announced his pledge to Tennessee. Baker took his official visit to Knoxville from June 6 through June 8. He also took official visits to his other four finalists: Virginia (April 25 through April 27), Arkansas (May 30 through June 1), North Carolina State (June 13 through June 15) and Mississippi (June 20 through June 22). Advertisement Ultimately, the Saint Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland) standout chose to play for head coach Josh Heupel, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee and the rest of the Volunteers' staff. "Tennessee is somewhere I know I can get development and get the exposure to play against the best of the best," Baker told about his commitment to the Vols. Baker has been building strong connections with Heupel, Elarbee and the other Tennessee coaches for more than a year. Those relationships played a large role in his decision to commit to the Volunteers. Advertisement "My relationship (with the Tennessee coaches) is great," Baker said. "We've been talking since the opening (communication) period for the 2026 class (in June of 2024)." During his official visit to UT earlier this month, Baker was able to connect with the staff, eat good food and get out of his comfort zone to explore new excursions. "We went tube riding on the boat — I was a little scared because I can't swim, but the life jacket saved me," Baker said with a laugh. "Smokey's (Sports Grill) is the best food spot." In addition to the schools already mentioned, Baker received scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Florida, Maryland, Miami (FL.), Pittsburgh, Syracuse, UCF, Virginia Tech and others. Advertisement While the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Baker is listed as a tackle and can certainly play outside, he also has the flexibility to play in the interior as well. "(I can play) a little of both (outside and inside) — I'm a versatile offensive lineman that can do it all," Baker said about his playing style. With Baker's commitment, Tennessee's 2026 class grows to 11 total pledges as of press time. The Volunteers rank 35th nationally. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TENNESSEE FANS AT
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2 days ago
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Tennessee Gets Good News on Highly Touted Playmaker This Week
Tennessee Gets Good News on Highly Touted Playmaker This Week originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The No. 1 running back in the 2026 class, Savion Hiter, paid his fourth official visit to Tennessee's campus this past weekend and according to sources, everything went about as well as the Vols could have hoped. Advertisement After his official visit, Hiter made a post on X saying, "Thank you @Vol_Football for having my family and I this weekend 🙏🏾 appreciate you rolling out the orange carpet #GBO🍊" Despite offering no public comments, insiders tell us that the visit 'couldn't have gone much better.' Tennessee continues to be viewed as one of the leading contenders for the elite prospect as Hiter begins to narrow the field. University of Tennessee Volunteers head football coach Josh Heupel speaks during the Nashville stop.© Alan Poizner/For The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "The No. 1 running back in the 2026 class was the unquestioned headliner among Tennessee's group of visitors." Ryan Callahan of 247Sports wrote on Monday. "As expected, Hiter didn't offer any public comments coming off his weekend stay in Knoxville. But sources said his third visit with the Vols since early April couldn't have gone much better," Callahan wrote. Advertisement "Tennessee still appears to be one of the top contenders for Hiter as he begins to work toward a decision." On the flip side, Michigan also left a strong impression — 65% of fans in an SB Nation poll believe Hiter ended his recent official visit at Michigan on a high note, reinforcing that the Wolverines remain firmly in contention. "It's not clear at this point how soon he might be ready to announce a commitment. But Michigan remains the Vols' main competition for him, and the Wolverines appear to be all-in on trying to land him." Callahan added. "Coming out of the weekend, it's still believed to be a close race, with both Tennessee and Michigan having reasons for optimism." Advertisement Related: Ohio State Reveals New Timeline to Name Starting Quarterback This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Tennessee Receives Clear Message from Nation's No. 1 RB After Official Visit
Tennessee Receives Clear Message from Nation's No. 1 RB After Official Visit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tennessee Volunteers and head coach Josh Heupel find themselves in the middle of an intense recruiting battle for class of 2026 running back Savion Hiter out of Mineral, Virginia. Advertisement They are just one of four schools still left standing to land his services, along with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan Wolverines, meaning the Vols are up against some serious powerhouses. Tennessee looked to make their impression on Friday, though, as they hosted Hiter for an official visit in Knoxville, marking his fourth time being hosted by the program after three unofficial visits. On Monday, Hiter commemorated his time there with a social media post captioned, "Thank you @Vol_Football for having my family and I this weekend, appreciate you rolling out the orange carpet #GBO." Last season, Hiter was named a MaxPreps Junior All-American after racking up a total of 1,897 yards and 29 touchdowns, while producing on defense with 56 tackles, seven sacks, four tackles for loss and one interception. Advertisement With that kind of production, it's not a huge surprise that On3 Industry Rankings has him as a five-star recruit, the No. 1 running back, the No. 1 player in Virginia and the No. 11 player in the nation. Now, it will remain to be seen if Tennessee ends up on top for the talented running back, as the Vols are given the third-best chances (17.4%), behind Ohio State (27%) and Georgia (23.6%), but ahead of Michigan (14.5%), per the On3 recruiting prediction machine. Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images If the Volunteers do end up with Hiter, he would be a major addition to their 2026 recruiting class, which features a total of nine commitments, ranking No. 7 in the SEC and No. 15 in the nation. Advertisement Related: Nation's No. 1 LB Sends Texas, Steve Sarkisian Clear Message After Official Visit This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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Tennessee Gets News From Highly Touted Quarterback on Tuesday
Tennessee Gets News From Highly Touted Quarterback on Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jayce Johnson, the No. 2 quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class, released his top five schools list on Tuesday, and Tennessee Volunteers made the cut. Advertisement 'Tennessee is a priority for me and my family, and they are most definitely making me feel like a priority," Johnson told Volquest. Besides the Volunteers, the four-star quarterback narrowed his selections to the Texas A&M Aggies, Mississippi State Bulldogs, South Carolina Gamecocks and Florida State Seminoles, according to On3's Hayes Fawcett. "Elite 2027 QB Jayce Johnson is down to 5 schools and will announce his commitment on August 3," wrote Fawcett on X. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound signal-caller will make his final decision during the first week of August. The 247Sports Composite rankings also have Johnson, from Valdosta, GA, placed as the No. 2 quarterback in the class. It would be a boon to Tennessee coach Josh Heupel to land Jayce Johnson.© Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The quarterback is a consensus top 50 prospect in the 2027 class as well. The 247Sports Composite rankings placed Johnson at No. 32 overall among all the recruits in his class. Advertisement In Georgia, the same rankings have Johnson at No. 4. With Johnson, the Volunteers have an opportunity to land one of the top quarterbacks in back-to-back classes. For 2026, Tennessee received a commitment from No. 1 North Carolina prospect Faizon Brandon. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Brandon is the No. 2 quarterback and sixth overall recruit in the 2026 class. The Volunteers have landed just one commit in the 2027 class so far — three-star linebacker JP Peace. He is the grandson of legendary Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer. But it's still rather early for 2027 recruits to be pledging. Tennessee could land a huge early one, though, in a few weeks if Johnson chooses to come to Knoxville. Advertisement Related: Tennessee Dealt Bad News on Highly Touted Star This Weekend This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
