Tennessee has put itself squarely in the mix for one of the biggest names in the 2026 recruiting race, and the ripple effects go beyond Knoxville. Five-star Ohio State commit DJ Jacobs is still pledged to the Buckeyes, but the Vols have kept pushing, and Miami has stayed involved too.
Jacobs, the No. 1 EDGE in the country out of Blessed Trinity Catholic in Georgia, was long viewed by many Miami supporters as a potential Cane.
That never materialized when his commitment came down, but the door has never fully closed. His pledge to Ohio State is still in place, yet nothing becomes official until the Early Signing Period in December, which leaves room for other programs to keep working.
Tennessee has taken advantage of that opening. On3’s Steve Wiltfong said the Vols remain in close contact with Jacobs, and he also relayed that Jacobs’ father made it clear the process is not finished even after Ohio State got the commitment.
“Tennessees performance on the field this year is pivotal as they make a push to flip David DJ Jacobs” @SWiltfong_ says the 5-star Ohio State commitment has not shut the door on the Vols 🍊
MORE: https://t.co/sj2n3HObYN pic.twitter.com/0DKcXBgR5h
- Josh Newberg (@josh_newberg) August 25, 2026
Wiltfong also said he believes Jacobs and his family could make it to Neyland Stadium for a game this fall. If that visit happens, the buzz around a possible flip would only grow louder.
There’s a clear reason Tennessee believes it can stay in this race: Rodney Garner. The Vols’ defensive line coach coached Jacobs’ father at Georgia, and that relationship matters here.
As Wiltfong put it, “They're shooting their shot with David 'DJ' Jacobs,” and then pointed to the family connection, saying, “Jacobs' father played for Coach Garner at Georgia - he's like a second father to him, and there's the trust that he's the caliber of coach to get the best of his players for decades. He is among the creme de la creme defensive line coaches in America.
Obviously Tennessee's fanbase, the proximity to home, the resources that they have in place for their players, it's an attractive place when you combine all of that.”
Miami is still part of the picture, even with its 2027 class essentially wrapped up and several five-stars already committed. Cristobal has continued to go after Jacobs aggressively, and the Canes would make room if he decided Coral Gables was the move.
Still, Tennessee appears to be the program putting the most pressure on Ohio State. Wiltfong said Jacobs is expected to take multiple trips to Columbus to spend time with Ryan Day and his staff, but a gameday visit to Knoxville would be a major development to watch.
For now, Ohio State still has the verbal pledge. But as November and December approach, Jacobs looks like one of the most interesting names left on the board, and Tennessee has positioned itself as the biggest threat to pull off the surprise.
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The first quarterback decision of the season already added an extra layer to Tennessees long-term conversation under center, with true freshman Faizon Brandon named the starter for the opener. Across the border in Nashville, Vanderbilt followed with its own call, going with Blaze Berlowitz over five-star freshman Jared Curtis for its first game, even as Curtis is expected to see the field against Austin Peay.
Jared Curtis is the name that makes this more interesting for Tennessee fans, because the buzz around a future matchup now has a clearer shape. If the two programs get the chance to put their young quarterbacks on the same stage later in the season, it would turn a routine SEC meeting into a useful early snapshot of where both passing games are headed. [Read more 🡒]
Peyton Manning And The Vols Honor A Tennessee Icon After Heartbreaking Loss
The loss of Dolly Parton sent a wave of grief through Tennessee, and the reaction from Peyton Manning and the Volunteers showed just how deeply she mattered to the state. The former Tennessee quarterback and the universitys athletic department both honored the country music legend with public tributes, recognizing not only her towering career but also the bond she always shared with her home state.
Parton was more than an icon on the music side of Tennessee life, and the tributes reflected that broader impact. Her music, charity work and unmistakable presence made her a beloved figure well beyond Knoxville, which is why the Vols response landed as part remembrance, part thank you to a woman whose legacy stretched far past the stage. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Fans Are Pushing For A Tribute That Would Mean Everything
After the announcement of Dolly Partons death, Tennessee football fans quickly turned their attention from social media tributes to a question that feels bigger inside the programs orbit: whether the Vols should honor one of the states most beloved figures on the field this season. Tennessee football and Athletics both posted remembrances online, and the conversation from there shifted into familiar college-football territory, where programs sometimes turn grief and appreciation into helmet decals or other small but visible gestures.
For Tennessee, the idea carries a particular kind of weight because Partons connection to the state is larger than sports and larger than any one moment. The school has not made an official decision on helmet decals, and that uncertainty has only added to the discussion among fans who see the tribute as a natural fit. Around college football, memorial decals have become a way to mark loss, celebrate legacy, and show solidarity, which is why so many Tennessee supporters are watching closely to see whether this season gets one more layer of significance. [Read more 🡒]