Ole Miss is trying to make life complicated for Tennessee with one of the Vols’ most important 2027 commitments.
Kesean Bowman, a Brentwood, Tennessee, native who picked Tennessee over Alabama, Ohio State and Vanderbilt, has been committed to the Vols since March after first being pledged to Oregon. Even with that decision in place, another SEC program has kept pressing behind the scenes.
Zach Berry of OMSpiritOn3 reported that Ole Miss is working to flip Bowman, and the push is not coming only from the staff. According to Berry, Bowman’s high school quarterback, Crew Jenkins - who is committed to Ole Miss - is helping recruit him to the Rebels.
Jenkins is working with fellow Ole Miss quarterback commit Keegan Croucher, who, ironically, plays with David Gabriel-Georges at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, in an effort to land Bowman. Berry also credited Ole Miss special teams coach Jake Schnoover, who is the Rebels’ main recruiter in the Nashville area.
For Tennessee, Bowman is a major piece of the class. He sits behind only five-star David Gabriel-Georges in the Vols’ 2027 haul, which Rivals currently ranks 24th nationally. The ranking may not jump off the page, but Tennessee has built in plenty of talent that could grow into a strong group on Rocky Top.
Bowman’s profile is the kind that keeps other programs interested. ESPN lists him as the 38th-best player in the country, the ninth-best receiver and the third-best player in Tennessee. His high school quarterback before Crew Jenkins was Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre.
That commitment gave Kelsey Pope and Tennessee a significant recruiting win. Pope has a reputation for getting the most out of his receivers, and Bowman gives the Vols a player with the kind of talent that could develop into an All-SEC level weapon.
Bowman still appears solid with Tennessee, but with Ole Miss continuing to push, this is one to watch as Early National Signing Day approaches in December.
In Other News...
Tennessee's Alabama Quarterback Decision Suddenly Feels A Lot More Urgent
Tennessee heads into its rivalry matchup with Alabama still sorting out its most important position. Faizon Brandon opened the season as the starter, but George MacIntyre got the nod next and made a strong first impression in the win over Arkansas, giving Josh Heupel something real to weigh as the stakes rise.
Heupel has not said who will start against Alabama, and that silence has only sharpened the attention around the decision. A film analyst has already made the case for MacIntyre to keep the job based on what he showed against Arkansas, but with Alabama next on the schedule, Tennessee does not have much time left to settle on its answer. [Read more 🡒]
Peyton Manning Just Gave Tennessee Fans A New Reason To Love Alabama Week
Peyton Manning has found a fresh way to lean into one of college footballs loudest rivalries. Ahead of the upcoming Tennessee-Alabama game, the former Vols quarterback teamed up with country singer Riley Green on a new song built around the matchup, giving fans another bit of hype to carry into Alabama week.
The project goes beyond a quick cameo, too, with Manning involved throughout the track rather than just popping in for a spoken line. For Tennessee fans, it is the kind of crossover that fits the moment: a familiar face, a rivalry game and a new tune aimed squarely at the buildup before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Frontcourt Plans Are Suddenly Riding On One Unresolved Fight
Tennessees frontcourt outlook has a bit of uncertainty hanging over it as Jalen Washington waits on a decision that will determine whether he can play in an upcoming exhibition game. The forward transferred from Vanderbilt after a federal court initially ruled in his favor, but a Tennessee Court of Appeals later stayed that decision, leaving his fifth year of eligibility unresolved for now.
Washington remains around the program and is continuing to take part in team activities while the lawsuit works its way through the system. For Tennessee, it is a reminder that roster planning sometimes depends on more than practice reps and preseason form, and this one could shape how the Volunteers sort out their depth inside if the legal process breaks their way. [Read more 🡒]