Tennessee football is firmly in the mix for one of the top defensive talents in the 2027 recruiting class. Zay Hasan, a highly touted cornerback out of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, has narrowed his list to six schools-and the Vols made the cut. Alongside Tennessee, Hasan is also considering Ohio State, South Carolina, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Florida State.
Hasan isn’t just another name on the board-he’s one of the elite players in this cycle. Ranked No. 27 overall and the No. 4 cornerback in the class by Rivals, he’s also the top-ranked prospect in the state of North Carolina. That kind of profile makes him a priority target for any program with championship aspirations.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and his staff have made a habit of pulling top-tier talent out of North Carolina, and Hasan could be the next in line. The Vols already have a strong track record in the state under Heupel, having landed five-star offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. in the 2025 class and securing a commitment from five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon for 2026. Add in former five-star Daevin Hobbs, and it’s clear Tennessee’s recruiting footprint in the Tar Heel State is both deep and effective.
Hasan’s interest in Tennessee is more than just a name on a list-he’s been on campus. He made an unofficial visit to Knoxville on October 11, catching the Vols’ matchup against Arkansas.
That game turned out to be Tennessee’s lone SEC home win of the season, in a year where the Vols finished 8-4 overall and 4-4 in conference play. While the season had its ups and downs, the atmosphere inside Neyland Stadium remains a powerful recruiting tool, and Hasan got a front-row seat.
Looking ahead, Tennessee’s 2027 recruiting class is already off to a strong start. The Vols currently have four commitments, headlined by four-star in-state offensive lineman Princeton Uwaifo, who ranks No. 110 nationally according to 247Sports. The rest of the class includes three-star defensive lineman Kadin Fife, three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitfield, and three-star linebacker JP Peace.
As it stands, the Vols’ 2027 class ranks No. 11 in the country per 247Sports. And with Tennessee squarely in the running for Hasan and several other top prospects, that number could climb quickly. The staff has positioned itself well heading into the new year, and the pursuit of Hasan will be one to watch closely as the recruiting cycle unfolds.
For Tennessee, this is more than just chasing stars-it’s about building a foundation for future success. And if they can land a player like Zay Hasan, it’ll be another big step in that direction.