Tennessee isn’t wasting any time on the 2027 recruiting trail, and the Vols are making it clear they’re aiming high-literally and figuratively.
On Tuesday, head coach Josh Heupel, along with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee, made the trip to Pennsylvania to visit five-star interior offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller. The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder out of Coatesville Area High School isn’t just big in stature-he’s big on the recruiting boards too. According to 247Sports, Hiller is the No. 1 offensive lineman in the 2027 class and the top overall player in the state of Pennsylvania.
After the visit, Hiller kept things short and sweet with a “GBO” on social media-short for “Go Big Orange”-but that one-liner spoke volumes about Tennessee’s standing in what’s shaping up to be a heated national recruitment.
The Vols offered Hiller a scholarship back on Jan. 10, 2025, and he was on campus a few months later for the Big Orange BBQ on May 31. That visit gave him a firsthand look at the program’s culture, facilities, and vision under Heupel’s leadership. And with the staff now making in-person rounds, it’s clear Tennessee is making Hiller a top priority.
But they’re not alone. Hiller’s offer list reads like a who’s who of college football powerhouses.
Penn State was the first to jump in, extending an offer all the way back in May 2023. Since then, the list has ballooned to include heavyweights like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Clemson, USC, Notre Dame, and Florida, among many others.
In total, more than two dozen Power Four programs have thrown their hats in the ring.
For Tennessee, landing a player of Hiller’s caliber would be a cornerstone addition to what’s already shaping up as a strong 2027 class. The Vols have secured early commitments from linebacker JP Peace, cornerback Kamauri Whitfield, offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, and defensive lineman Kadin Fife-giving them a solid foundation on both sides of the ball.
Adding Hiller to that mix would be a statement. He’s the kind of interior lineman who can anchor an offensive front for years, and in Heupel’s up-tempo, high-powered system, a dominant presence in the trenches is crucial. Hiller’s size, athleticism, and technique already set him apart, and he still has a couple years of high school ball to refine his game.
There’s still a long way to go in this recruitment, but Tennessee is clearly in the fight-and they’re swinging with purpose.