Tennessee’s push for Ta’Shawn Poole appears to be losing steam at a crucial point in the process.
Poole has emerged as one of the Volunteers’ top safety priorities, and the Macon, Georgia, standout carries plenty of national buzz. ESPN lists him as the No. 5 safety in the country, the No. 43 overall prospect, and the No. 4 prospect in Georgia. For Tennessee, he’s been a major name on the board as the staff works to round out its class.
But according to Rivals reporter Chad Simmons, the Vols no longer look like the team setting the pace. Simmons said Tennessee was viewed as the favorite when the recruitment first started to heat up, but that momentum has shifted toward Florida State and Georgia, the two schools now standing out most.
That doesn’t completely shut the door on Tennessee. Recruiting can turn fast, and the Vols still have time to make their case. Even so, Simmons’ read suggests Tennessee is currently on the outside looking in as Poole moves closer to a decision.
There is at least some context that softens the blow for the Vols. Tennessee recently added four-star safety Marcus Jones, and the staff has also landed other defensive backs who could eventually help at safety down the line. So while Poole remains a key target, the position group already has some important pieces coming in.
For now, though, the latest update points to Tennessee trailing in the race for one of its biggest defensive back targets.
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Tennessees 2026 Roster Already Looks Different Under New Strength Staff
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The changes are not all in one direction, either. Some players have added size and muscle, while others have trimmed down, including a few names across the defense and along the line. For Tennessee, the real intrigue is how those shifts will show up once camp opens and the roster starts to look less like a spreadsheet and more like a depth chart. [Read more 🡒]