Tennessee football didn’t land its top target at running back in the 2026 cycle - five-star Savion Hiter chose Michigan over the Vols - but they didn’t leave Signing Day empty-handed. Far from it. On Wednesday, Tennessee filled that gap with the addition of Will Rajecki, a three-star back out of Sequoyah High School in Canton, Georgia.
Rajecki might not have the star rating fans were hoping for after missing on Hiter, but Tennessee’s track record with under-the-radar backs speaks for itself. Just look at DeSean Bishop.
He came in as the No. 107 running back in his class, and now he’s the headliner in the Vols’ backfield. That kind of development gives real weight to Rajecki’s potential in Knoxville.
According to 247Sports, Rajecki ranks as the No. 73 running back in the 2026 class and the No. 129 player in the state of Georgia. He’s not a household name yet, but his offer sheet tells a story of a player who was turning heads.
Georgia, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt - all SEC programs - showed interest, along with Oregon State, Kansas State, NC State, Memphis, and Kansas. So while he might be listed as a three-star, he was clearly on plenty of radars.
With Rajecki’s signature, Tennessee’s 2026 class now stands at 30 commits - a group that ranked No. 4 nationally on 247Sports even before his addition. In the SEC, only Alabama was ahead. That’s the kind of depth and talent accumulation that keeps Tennessee firmly in the conversation among the conference’s elite.
Rajecki is one of three players expected to sign with the Vols on National Signing Day, joining two in-state offensive additions: wide receiver JaColby Cooper from Alcoa and interior offensive lineman Jeremy George-El from Knoxville Catholic. Both are three-star prospects as well, but again, Tennessee’s staff has shown they can mold these players into contributors.
As for the running back room Rajecki is stepping into, it’s anchored by Bishop, who’s already made a name for himself. Behind him are Daune Morris and Justin Baker, both entering their second seasons in the program. Tennessee also added Javin Gordon from Tulane via the transfer portal, and Hunter Barnes is expected to return to provide depth.
There’s no immediate pressure on Rajecki to carry the load from Day 1, but there’s a clear path for him to grow within the system. With Tennessee’s recent history of turning overlooked backs into key playmakers, don’t be surprised if he ends up being another gem in the Vols’ backfield.