Jaylen Scott, one of the top safeties in the class of 2027, has trimmed his list to five schools - and Tennessee is still in the mix.
The 6-foot, 165-pound standout from Mobile, Alabama, is eyeing Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma, and the Vols as his finalists. It’s a competitive group, and for good reason.
Scott’s sophomore season at Williamson High School turned heads across the country. He racked up 107 tackles, 12 pass breakups, four interceptions, and even forced a fumble - a stat line that speaks to both his physicality and instincts in the secondary.
Scott is rated as a four-star prospect and checks in at No. 113 overall in the 2027 class, per 247Sports. He’s the No. 10 safety nationally and the No. 4 player in Alabama - a state that continues to churn out elite defensive talent. Rivals also lists him as a four-star, though they have him ranked a bit lower at No. 254 overall and No. 9 in the state.
What makes Scott’s recruitment even more intriguing is the path he’s taken. He initially committed to Auburn over the summer, a natural fit for the in-state product.
But following Auburn’s coaching shakeup - with Hugh Freeze out and Alex Golesh stepping in - Scott reopened his recruitment. That move reignited interest from several top-tier programs, including Tennessee, where he previously took an unofficial visit.
Now, with his recruitment wide open again, all five schools will be jockeying for position in the coming months. Expect a flurry of campus visits, in-home conversations, and defensive pitch meetings as these programs try to land one of the most versatile safeties in the cycle. Scott’s ability to cover ground in the secondary, read quarterbacks, and deliver in run support makes him a high-priority target for any defense looking to lock down the back end.
As for Tennessee, the Vols are building a solid foundation in their 2027 class. They’ve already secured four commitments, including three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitfield out of Orlando - giving them at least one defensive back in the fold. Their lone four-star commit so far is offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo from Murfreesboro, a big-bodied lineman who projects as a future anchor up front.
Tennessee’s early work on the trail has them sitting at No. 16 nationally and No. 6 in the SEC in the 247Sports team rankings. Landing Scott would be a major boost, not just in terms of rankings, but in sending a message that the Vols can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Georgia and Florida State for elite defensive talent.
There’s still a long way to go in Scott’s recruitment, but with his top five now set, the real battle begins.