Tennessee football is firmly in the mix for one of the top interior offensive linemen in the 2027 recruiting class - and the competition is fierce.
Four-star prospect Jatori Williams, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound mauler from Central Phenix City High School in Alabama, just narrowed his list to nine programs. The Vols made the cut, joining Miami, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, and Florida in Williams’ top group.
Williams is more than just a big body in the trenches - he’s a high-upside talent with elite potential on the interior. Ranked No. 104 overall in the 2027 cycle by 247Sports, he’s considered the No. 6 interior offensive lineman in the country and the No. 3 overall player in talent-rich Alabama. That kind of profile makes him a priority target for just about every major SEC program, and Tennessee has been in the mix for a while now.
The Vols were one of the first programs to offer Williams, extending the invitation back in February of 2025. That early interest could pay dividends as the recruitment heats up. Relationships matter in these long-haul battles, especially when you're going up against the likes of Alabama and Georgia.
Tennessee’s 2027 class is still in its early stages but already features a solid foundation. The group includes 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 promising start, and with nearly a full year of recruiting still ahead, the Vols are expected to add plenty more talent to the class.
And if we’re talking momentum, Tennessee has plenty of it. The 2026 class was a major statement - 29 commitments, 27 of which signed during the early period, with two more local additions coming on National Signing Day.
That class was headlined by a trio of five-star blue-chippers: quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver TK Keys, and offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda. It finished ranked No. 4 nationally, a testament to the staff’s ability to close on elite talent.
Interior offensive line was already a point of emphasis in the 2026 haul. The Vols signed two players officially listed at the position - three-star Ed Baker during the early period, and local standout Jeremy George-El on signing day. There’s also the possibility that some of the tackles in the class could slide inside once they get on campus, depending on how the depth chart shakes out.
Still, adding a player like Jatori Williams would be a big-time win. He’s the kind of interior anchor that can set the tone for an entire offensive front - strong, agile, and technically sound for his age. For Tennessee, continuing to stack talent in the trenches is key to sustaining success in the SEC, especially with the league's defensive lines only getting nastier.
The road to signing day is still long, and the Vols will have to fend off plenty of heavyweight contenders. But with a strong early relationship and a proven track record of development under this staff, Tennessee is right where it needs to be in the chase for one of the best interior linemen in the 2027 class.