Tennessee football is making a late push in the recruitment of three-star safety Charles “Chuck” Roberts - and it’s paying off. The Vols have cracked Roberts’ final list of top schools ahead of his upcoming commitment, which is set for December 29. They’re joined by Florida, Miami, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington as the programs still in play for the IMG Academy standout.
Roberts, ranked No. 416 nationally by the 247 Composite, is the No. 37 safety in the country and the No. 39 overall recruit out of Florida. He’s been on the radar for a while, but Tennessee’s interest came relatively late in the process.
The Vols extended an offer on November 26 - a key move that clearly left an impression, even with a coaching staff in transition. Tim Banks was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the time of the offer, and while his future with the program may be uncertain, the offer remains on the table and Tennessee is still in the fight.
Roberts brings a strong pedigree to the table. Before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, he was a varsity starter as a freshman at Bishop Alemany in Mission Hills, California - a program known for producing top-tier talent. That early experience, combined with the elite-level competition he’s faced at IMG, has helped him develop into a versatile, instinctive safety with a high ceiling.
For Tennessee, landing Roberts would be another building block in what’s shaping up to be a promising 2027 recruiting cycle. The Vols currently hold four commitments in that class, headlined by in-state offensive lineman Princeton Uwaifo.
Uwaifo, a four-star prospect ranked No. 110 nationally, anchors a group that also includes three-star defensive lineman Kadin Fife, cornerback Kamauri Whitfield, and linebacker JP Peace. As it stands, Tennessee’s 2027 class ranks No. 13 in the country, according to 247.
That momentum builds off a strong showing in the 2026 cycle, where Josh Heupel and his staff secured the No. 5 class nationally. That group featured three five-star signees - a clear sign that the Vols are continuing to elevate their recruiting profile under Heupel’s leadership. While the recent decommitment of four-star athlete Legend Bey was a blow, the class still boasts plenty of dynamic playmakers ready to make an impact.
As for Roberts, his decision on December 29 will be one to watch closely. Tennessee may have entered the race late, but they’ve done enough in a short time to put themselves firmly in contention. Now, it’s about closing strong - and if the Vols can do that, they’ll add another talented piece to a defense that’s steadily trending upward.