Tennessee Football just wrapped up one of its most impressive recruiting cycles in recent memory, and the final 247Sports rankings only confirm what Vols fans have been buzzing about for months: this class is loaded with elite talent. With three five-star signees landing in the Top 30 of 247’s final 2026 player ratings, Tennessee is positioning itself for a serious run in the SEC in the years to come.
Faizon Brandon: The Future Under Center
Leading the way is quarterback Faizon Brandon, who finishes as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2026 class. Brandon flirted with the top spot throughout the cycle, even holding the No. 1 ranking at times, before settling in just behind Vanderbilt signee Jared Curtis in the final update. Rankings aside, Brandon is a premier talent-plain and simple.
At 6-foot-4, the Greensboro, NC native is a two-time North Carolina state champion and brings a rare mix of arm talent, athleticism, and poise to the table. He’s not just a high school standout-he’s a quarterback who looks ready to compete at the SEC level from day one.
Don’t be surprised if he’s firmly in the mix for Tennessee’s starting job as early as this spring. He’s got the tools, the pedigree, and the competitive edge that coaches dream about.
Tristen “TK” Keys: A Game-Breaker on the Outside
Tennessee made waves back in August when it flipped five-star wide receiver Tristen “TK” Keys from LSU-a move that turned heads across the recruiting landscape. Now, Keys finishes the cycle as the No. 12 overall player and the top-ranked wide receiver in the country.
At 6-foot-2, the Hattiesburg, MS product brings a dangerous blend of size, speed, and playmaking ability. He’s got a massive catch radius, elite body control, and the kind of burst that makes defensive backs look like they’re standing still.
Keys is the kind of receiver who can stretch the field, win contested catches, and turn short throws into big gains. If he adapts quickly to the college game, there’s a real chance he cracks the Vols’ receiver rotation as a true freshman.
Gabriel Osenda: Building the Trenches
The third five-star in Tennessee’s class is offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda, who lands at No. 27 overall and ranks as the fifth-best tackle in the country. At 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds, Osenda is a mountain of a man from Chattanooga who dominated at the high school level and projects as a future cornerstone on the Vols' offensive line.
Osenda’s game is all about power and leverage. He uses his length like a weapon, routinely overwhelming defenders with his initial punch and clearing lanes with brute force.
He’s not just big-he’s technically sound and plays with a nasty streak that should translate well to SEC competition. With continued development, Osenda has the potential to be a multi-year starter and a key piece in Tennessee’s offensive front.
A Top-Four Finish in the Team Rankings
Thanks to this trio of five-stars-and a deep supporting cast-Tennessee finishes the 2026 cycle with the No. 4 recruiting class in the nation, trailing only Southern Cal, Alabama, and Oregon. The Vols brought in a total of 29 signees, including 10 four-stars and 16 three-stars, rounding out a class that blends elite top-end talent with solid depth across the board.
This class isn’t just about stars on paper-it’s about building a foundation for sustained success in Knoxville. With a quarterback who could be a program-changer, a wideout who can take the top off a defense, and a tackle built to dominate in the trenches, Tennessee has addressed key areas with high-level talent.
The 2026 class gives the Vols momentum, firepower, and a whole lot of hope. And for a program looking to climb back into the national spotlight, that’s exactly what you want to see.