Tennessee Lands In-State Offensive Line Anchor Jeremy George-El for 2026 Class
The Vols didn’t have to look far to find their latest building block in the trenches. Jeremy George-El, a towering 6-foot-5, 325-pound offensive lineman out of Knoxville Catholic High School, announced his commitment to Tennessee on Tuesday, giving the program a major early win for its 2026 recruiting class.
For George-El, this wasn’t just about staying close to home-it was about finding the right fit. And after spending time on campus during Tennessee’s recent junior day, the decision came into focus. The energy, the coaches, the game-day atmosphere-it all clicked.
“I feel like it’s a program that’s going to develop me a lot as a player, but not just as a player, but as a student, too,” George-El said. “That’s a great thing by far. I feel like they’ll bring me to the level where I want to be at.”
George-El had drawn interest from a range of programs, including Middle Tennessee State, UT Martin, Tennessee Tech, Mercer, Chattanooga, Eastern Kentucky, and Central Arkansas. He even had an official visit lined up with UAB this coming weekend. But once Tennessee made its pitch, there was no need to wait.
The junior day visit wasn’t just about X’s and O’s. George-El took in the Vols’ basketball showdown with Kentucky, spent time with the coaching staff, and soaked in the environment. It wasn’t long before he knew he was ready to call Rocky Top home.
“They were truly excited,” George-El said of the coaches’ reaction to his commitment. “Every coach was excited, including Coach Heupel.”
George-El projects as a powerful interior lineman, and his Hudl film shows him lined up at left guard-where his size, leverage, and finish stand out. But what really drew him in was the culture within the program. He spoke highly of his conversations with head coach Josh Heupel, as well as the vibe around the team.
“I enjoyed everything by far,” George-El said. “Everything from the football aspect to the having fun aspect, it just felt like home.
Everything just looked good, sounded good. Everything just was Tennessee, so everything is good.”
That “home” feeling runs deep for the Knoxville native, who already feels a sense of family within the program. But it’s the coaching staff that sealed the deal. Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee and offensive analyst Chris Labidou played key roles in building that connection during George-El’s time on campus.
“I enjoyed playing pool with Coach Lab,” George-El said. “I had a great time with Coach Elarbee, too.
… I like how he doesn’t, when he sees you make a mistake, he doesn’t get at you for it. He just stays calm and tells you, ‘It’s OK, next one, on to the next.’”
That kind of approach resonated with George-El, who sees himself thriving in a system where development is prioritized over perfection. And the message from the staff was loud and clear: they see him as a critical piece of the future.
“I love the coaching staff,” he said. “The coaching staff truly made me happy by the way they made everything sound.
They made me sound like I would be the key to their offense, like being an extra part of the offense. So that was truly one of the best things.”
For Tennessee, locking in a local talent with SEC-ready size and upside is always a win. But when that player already feels like part of the family and brings the kind of attitude George-El does, it’s more than just a commitment-it’s a foundation.