Josh Heupel and his Tennessee staff are coming off a big win on the recruiting trail with five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon locked in for the 2026 class. But the Vols aren’t slowing down - they’re already deep into the 2027 cycle, and one name near the top of their board is Israel Abrams, a rising star under center who’s catching attention from across the country.
Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle clearly see something special in Abrams. The duo made the trip to visit him at his high school last week, signaling just how serious Tennessee is about landing the talented quarterback. But despite the Vols’ early efforts, the momentum in Abrams’ recruitment seems to be shifting - and not in Tennessee’s favor.
According to multiple recruiting insiders, including Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong and Greg Smith, Abrams is trending toward Auburn. That’s notable not just because it’s an SEC rival, but because the Tigers are now led by Alex Golesh - a familiar name in Knoxville.
Golesh served as Heupel’s offensive coordinator at Tennessee before taking over at USF and now Auburn. His connection to the Vols’ system and his firsthand understanding of what Tennessee is building adds an intriguing layer to this recruiting battle.
Abrams is currently rated as the No. 22 overall prospect in the 2027 class and the No. 2 quarterback, per 247Sports. That puts him on the cusp of five-star status, and if he maintains that top-25 ranking, he’ll likely earn that fifth star by the end of the cycle. For now, he holds a four-star designation, but his ceiling is clearly high - and programs are lining up to get in the mix.
Tennessee and Auburn aren’t alone in pursuing Abrams. Schools like Purdue, Kansas State, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan State, Rutgers, Florida State, and Iowa have all made their presence known this month. Halzle even visited Abrams at his home earlier in January, and the quarterback has returned the interest with visits to both Purdue and Auburn.
What makes Abrams such a coveted prospect? According to 247Sports analyst Cooper Petagna, it starts with his physical tools and mobility.
Petagna describes Abrams as having a “well-built frame” and being “an elastic mover for his size.” While he may not be the most twitchy athlete, he’s shown a consistent ability to evade pressure and extend plays - traits that are increasingly valuable in today’s college offenses.
Mechanically, he’s still developing. Petagna notes that Abrams sometimes leans too heavily on his upper body when throwing and that his footwork is still a work in progress.
But he’s got an over-the-top release that, while not the cleanest, gets the job done. He flashes above-average arm strength and has shown in camp settings that he could evolve into a strong drive-ball passer.
And perhaps most importantly, there’s a natural “gamer” quality to how he plays - the kind of intangible that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
As for Tennessee’s 2027 class, it’s already off to a solid start. The Vols have four early commitments: four-star offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, four-star defensive lineman Kadin Fife, three-star linebacker JP Peace, and three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitfield.
It’s a strong early foundation, but there’s still plenty of room - and time - to build. And a quarterback like Abrams would be a major piece.
Whether Tennessee can swing the momentum back in their favor remains to be seen. The competition is heating up, and with SEC rivals and national programs circling, this recruitment is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing ones to watch in the 2027 cycle.