Tennessee is still in the mix for the country’s top running back, and that alone says plenty about where the Vols stand with elite recruits right now.
Jayshawn Mitchell, ranked by both Rivals and 247 Sports as the nation’s top back, recently trimmed his list from more than 35 schools down to 15. Tennessee made the cut even after offering him just recently, on September 28.
Mitchell plays for William J. Brennan High School in San Antonio, Texas, and the Vols clearly made a quick impression.
The full group still in the running includes Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, Texas A&M, UCLA, Florida, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas Tech, SMU, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
Mitchell has already taken visits this season to Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, Texas A&M, and SMU. His next stop will be Norman, where he is set to visit Oklahoma this weekend.
On the field, Mitchell has put up video-game numbers through eight games. He has run for 1,036 yards and 24 touchdowns, an average of three scores per game. He has also added 326 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.
The Vols have already stacked up some serious success at running back in the 2027 cycle. Five-star David Gabriel-Georges committed to Tennessee in a major win over Ohio State and Ole Miss, and the staff also landed in-state running back Asa Barnes over Arkansas.
Tennessee is also showing up on the radar for more 2028 prospects as those players begin to tighten their lists. Four-star receiver John Matthews of Georgia recently cut his group to 12, and Tennessee was among the schools still under consideration. The other finalists are South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Ohio State, and Florida State.
The Vols are also making a push for several other top Georgia prospects, including four-star corner Tyler Boyd and four-star defensive lineman Jamarcus Johnson.
In Other News...
Tennessee Has One More Recruiting Battle Fans Will Be Watching Closely
Tennessees 2027 recruiting class is already taking shape with 19 commitments, and two of the names that stand out from Grayson High School are running back David Gabriel-Georges and defensive back Preston Glasco. Glasco, in particular, looks like the kind of long-term addition coaches keep circling back to - a tall, developmental cornerback with the size to help in run support and enough tools to suggest a higher ceiling down the road.
There is still at least one more battle worth watching closely, though, and it comes with an in-state wrinkle that makes it even more meaningful for the Vols. Tennessee remains in the mix for defensive lineman Joshua Lane, who is expected to choose between the Vols and Alabama, giving the staff another chance to protect home turf while trying to finish strong with a key target. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Fans Have One Big DeSean Bishop Concern Right Now
The Heisman Trophy websites fan-driven Heisman Hopefuls section has given Tennessee supporters another reason to check in on the roster, with seven Volunteers showing up in the top five of their positional groups. Among them, DeSean Bishop has been drawing the most attention, sitting out front among the running backs and adding to the buzz around a team that already has plenty of eyes on it as the season moves forward.
The concern, though, is less about the voting and more about Bishops immediate availability after a recent injury issue. Josh Heupel said the situation is expected to settle in well for the upcoming game, but there is still a wait-and-see element for fans hoping Tennessees backfield remains intact as SEC play continues to pile up. [Read more 🡒]
Xavier Gilliam Is Becoming Too Important For Tennessee To Ignore
Xavier Gilliams rise has become one of the more important developments on Tennessees defense this fall, the kind of breakout that can quietly change how an opposing offense has to prepare. The defensive lineman has gone from a useful piece to a steady force up front, and his production has started to match the growing recognition around him. He has already picked up midseason All-America honors from multiple organizations, a sign that his impact is being noticed well beyond Knoxville.
For Tennessee, the bigger takeaway is what Gilliam now means to the unit week after week. His ability to disrupt plays in the backfield has made him a central part of what the Volunteers are trying to do defensively, and the attention he is drawing only adds to that burden for opposing quarterbacks and blocking schemes. At this point, the question is less whether he belongs in the conversation and more how high that conversation can go as the season moves forward. [Read more 🡒]