Georgia Enters the Chase for 5-Star LB Cooper Witten, and Tennessee’s Playing Catch-Up
Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers may need to shift into high gear if they want to stay in the race for one of the top defensive prospects in the 2027 class. The recruitment of 5-star linebacker Cooper Witten just got a lot more competitive-and a lot more complicated.
Witten, the No. 1 linebacker in the country according to the 247Sports Composite, has been on the radar of nearly every major program in the nation, with close to 30 offers already in hand. But when Oklahoma hired his father, NFL legend Jason Witten, as its new tight ends coach, the Sooners immediately surged into the spotlight. It made sense-family ties, a fresh coaching hire, and a defensive-minded head coach in Brent Venables who knows how to develop elite talent.
But just when it looked like Oklahoma might be pulling ahead, Georgia entered the chat-and they didn’t tiptoe in, either.
Witten recently took unofficial visits to both Norman and Athens, meeting with Venables and then Kirby Smart. And if the early buzz is any indication, Georgia made a strong impression. Smart and his staff have been relentless on the recruiting trail, and the Bulldogs' recent momentum only adds to their growing mystique.
Witten’s mother, Michelle, shared a post on social media thanking both Oklahoma and Georgia for “an unforgettable 24 hours,” a clear sign that the Bulldogs are now firmly in the mix. For Tennessee fans, that’s a red flag. Georgia doesn’t tend to enter these recruiting battles just to make noise-they enter to win.
And they’re already stacking wins. Just days ago, Georgia landed a commitment from 5-star running back Kemon Spell, the top-ranked RB in the 2027 class.
That was a significant recruiting victory, not just because of Spell’s talent, but because he flipped from Penn State-his home-state school-and chose Georgia over other national powerhouses like Notre Dame. That kind of momentum is contagious, and it sends a message to other top recruits: Georgia is where elite talent goes to thrive.
Meanwhile in Knoxville, the Vols have laid a solid early foundation for their 2027 class. They’ve secured commitments from offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, defensive lineman Kadin Fife, cornerback Kamauri Whitfield, and Tennessee legacy JP Peace. It’s a promising start, but adding Cooper Witten would take this class to another level.
The challenge? Tennessee hasn’t hosted Witten for a visit yet-at least not recently.
While there’s still time for Heupel and his staff to get the nation’s top linebacker on campus, every day that passes without a visit is a missed opportunity to make their case in person. And with programs like Georgia and Oklahoma already rolling out the red carpet, the Vols can’t afford to fall further behind.
Witten is a program-changer. He’s the kind of player who can anchor a defense for years and elevate a recruiting class from good to elite. For Tennessee, landing him would not only be a massive on-field addition-it would be a statement to the rest of the SEC that the Vols can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Georgia and Oklahoma for the nation’s best talent.
But right now, Heupel and his staff are in pursuit mode. Georgia’s in, Oklahoma’s already made their pitch, and the clock is ticking in Knoxville. If Tennessee wants to be a serious contender here, they’ll need to get Cooper Witten on campus-and soon.