With the spring semester officially underway on Rocky Top, Tennessee football has welcomed a wave of early enrollees from its highly touted 2026 recruiting class. Classes kicked off on Jan. 20, and just a day later, the newest Vols were already in the weight room, getting to work under new strength and conditioning coach Derek Owings.
This early group is no small sample - 24 freshmen from a class ranked in the top five nationally (per 247Sports) are now on campus and diving into offseason training. For head coach Josh Heupel and his staff, this is a critical step in building momentum toward spring ball and beyond. These early enrollees get a head start not just in the weight room, but in the playbook, the locker room culture, and the overall rhythm of college football life.
Let’s break down who’s already in Knoxville and ready to make an early impression.
Quarterback Spotlight: Faizon Brandon
The crown jewel of the class - and arguably the most anticipated arrival - is Faizon Brandon, a 6-foot-4, 206-pound five-star quarterback out of Greensboro, N.C. Brandon brings elite arm talent, mobility, and poise beyond his years. His early arrival gives him a valuable runway to learn the system, build chemistry with receivers, and compete in a quarterback room that’s always under the microscope in Knoxville.
In the Trenches: Building the Future Up Front
Tennessee didn’t just load up on skill talent - they stocked the trenches on both sides of the ball.
On the offensive line, Gabriel Osenda (6-8, 333) stands out - literally and figuratively. The five-star from Alberta, Canada by way of Tennessee’s Baylor School is a mountain of a man with the kind of raw power and footwork that screams future SEC starter.
He’s joined by Kamari Blair (6-6, 280), a four-star from Clarksville, and Ed Baker (6-4, 336), a three-star mauler from Baltimore’s powerhouse St. Frances Academy.
On the defensive front, the Vols are bringing in serious depth. Breeze Carter (6-3, 273), a four-star from Georgia, headlines a group that includes Carter Gooden (6-4, 260), Zach Groves (6-4, 255), and JJ Finch (6-2, 292). These aren’t just bodies - they’re versatile athletes who can rotate across the line and give Tennessee flexibility in its front-seven schemes.
Secondary Reload: A Wave of Defensive Backs
If there’s one area where Tennessee went all-in with early enrollees, it’s the secondary. Eight defensive backs are already on campus, and that’s no accident - the Vols are clearly looking to bolster depth and find playmakers on the back end.
Zay Anderson (6-0, 170), a four-star from in-state Greeneville, brings ball-hawking instincts and a high football IQ. He’s joined by fellow four-star Joel Wyatt (6-4, 200) from Shelbyville, who offers rare size for a defensive back and could be a matchup nightmare for opposing tight ends and big receivers.
Other names to watch include Jowell Combay, KJ McClain, Javonte Smith, Jamyan Theodore, Luke Thompson, and DB/LB hybrid Joel Wyatt. That’s a lot of fresh legs in the secondary, and with Tennessee’s up-tempo offense often leading to shootouts, defensive depth is a must.
Skill Players to Watch: TK Keys and Luca Wolf
At wide receiver, TK Keys (6-2, 186) brings five-star credentials and big-play potential out of Hattiesburg, Miss. He’s the kind of athlete who can stretch the field vertically or take a screen to the house. Getting him acclimated early could pay dividends come fall.
Meanwhile, tight end Luca Wolf (6-5, 246) is one of the more intriguing additions. Hailing from Vienna, Austria and developed through the NFL UK Academy, Wolf brings international flavor and raw athleticism to the position. He’s still developing, but the physical tools are there.
International Flair and Special Teams Boost
Speaking of international additions, punter Logan Foley (6-6, 209) out of Melbourne, Australia is another early enrollee. Australian punters have become a staple across college football, and Foley brings that same rugby-style versatility that can flip field position in a heartbeat.
Linebackers and Edge Pieces
Brayden Rouse (6-3, 210) and TJ White (6-2, 237) are the two linebackers already on campus. Rouse, a four-star from Georgia, brings sideline-to-sideline speed and a nose for the football. White, from Jackson, Miss., adds physicality and could develop into a downhill enforcer in the middle of the defense.
Who's Still to Come?
While 24 players are already enrolled, a few key names will join the Vols this summer:
- Dereon Albert (DL)
- Tyreek King (WR)
- NicQuavion “Nuk” Simmons (DL)
- Jeremy George-El (OL)
- JaColby Cooper (WR)
Their arrivals will round out what’s shaping up to be one of Tennessee’s most complete recruiting classes in recent memory.
Final Thoughts
Early enrollment isn’t just a head start - it’s a competitive advantage. These 24 players are now immersed in the Vols’ program, from the weight room to the film room, and that experience can be the difference between redshirting and contributing as a true freshman.
With a top-five class and a growing identity under Josh Heupel, Tennessee isn’t just looking to compete in the SEC - they’re building for sustained success. And for this group of early enrollees, the foundation is already being laid, one rep at a time.