Tennessee’s 24-14 win over Auburn did more than get the Volunteers to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play. It also gave one of their top tight end targets another close look at what life on Rocky Top could be.
2028 Orange Beach (AL) four-star tight end Lee Steele was back in Knoxville for the game, and he came away impressed by the visit, the setting and the way Tennessee handled him and his family.
"It was a great visit," Steele said. "I really enjoyed being back in Knoxville with my family. The atmosphere, the fans, and the wat the coaches made us feel; made it a really special trip."
The game itself had plenty of layers. Tennessee unveiled its newest "Smokey Grey" uniforms as Adidas paid tribute to former Tennessee coach and legend General Robert Neyland with a Neyland Legacy. On the other sideline, former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh returned to Knoxville as Auburn’s head coach.
For Steele, though, the biggest takeaway wasn’t the uniform reveal or the storyline around the opposing coach. It was the way Tennessee’s staff continued to make him feel wanted.
"The atmosphere around the game was incredible, but what stood out the most was the relationships with Coach (Josh) Heupel, Coach (Alec) Abeln, and the rest of the staff. They made me feel like a priority and showed me how they see me fitting into their program."
Abeln has played a major role in Steele’s recruitment since Tennessee offered him in late July of 2025, and that relationship has only deepened over time.
"It’s grown a lot. Coach Abeln has been one of the coaches recruiting me the hardest, and he’s been consistent from the beginning.
We have a really good relationship and communicate a lot. I trust him, and I know he has a plan for me.
I also met his parents after the game and really enjoyed how they interacted with my family," Steele told Vols on SI.
At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Steele brings a rare frame to the table, and he’s also a small-foward on the basketball team. The Alabama prospect already flashes as a pass-game threat, and there’s obvious room for him to add more weight. The idea of what he could become down the line is part of what makes him such an intriguing target, especially with his red-zone potential and upside as a blocker.
That message has been clear from Tennessee’s side.
"They made it clear that they believe I can be a difference-maker in their offense. They see me as a versatile player who can create mismatches and make an impact in multiple ways. They also emphasized developing me for the next level," Steel said of the message from Tennessee.
Steele has been around the program several times over the past year, and he says the consistency keeps standing out every time he visits.
"The consistency. Every time I come to Tennessee, I feel the same energy from the coaches and the fans.
Coach Heupel and Coach Abeln have recruited me really hard, and I know they genuinely want me there. The development and the way they use their tight ends also really stands out."
After this trip, Tennessee remains firmly in the mix.
"Tennessee is definitely one of the schools at the top of my list right now. They've recruited me extremely hard, and I have a great relationship with Coach Heupel and Coach Abeln. I'm still going through the process and want to give other schools recruiting me fair opportunity," Steele says of where the process is at the moment.
For Steele, development keeps coming back as a major piece of the puzzle, along with fit and opportunity.
"NFL development is probably the biggest thing, along with finding the right offensive fit and an opportunity to play. The relationships with the coaches, the people around the program, and finding the right overall fit for me and my family are also really important."
His fall calendar is still filling out, with visits planned for Vanderbilt, Alabama, Auburn, Florida and potentially LSU. No dates are set yet, but the Orange Beach standout should be making the rounds over the next few weeks.
In Other News...
Dejuan Lane Just Added Edge To Tennessees Transfer Bet
Dejuan Lane arrived in Knoxville with something to prove, and Tennessee has already given him a clearer lane to do it. A former four-star prospect, Lane came over from Penn State after two seasons that included limited starts, then found a familiar coaching connection waiting for him on Rocky Top. Since the move, he has stepped into a more meaningful role in the secondary, giving the Vols another transfer who fits both the need and the story line.
Lane recently added a little more edge to that transition with a social media post about being overlooked, though he did not say whether he was aiming that message at Penn State or someone else. For Tennessee, the intrigue is less about where the shot landed and more about what it says about the player taking it, because the Vols are betting on transfers who arrive with something to prove as much as they do with talent. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Quarterback Battle Just Got Tougher For Josh Heupel
The quarterback conversation around Tennessee is only getting more complicated, and Josh Heupel still has a decision hanging over him after both quarterbacks saw the field against Auburn. Former Vols quarterback Jarrett Guarantano added perspective this week, pointing out just how hard it is to play the position in the SEC while offering support for both players in the mix.
Faizon Brandon remains in the equation despite dealing with an injury, while George MacIntyre made the most of his limited snaps and gave the staff something to think about. Heupel has acknowledged the competition, but he has not made a call yet, leaving Tennessee with a real camp-style battle in the middle of the season and a little less clarity than it would like at the game's most important position. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Matthews Sends Tennessee A Clear Message Before Arkansas
Tennessees first SEC win of the 2026 season came in a 24-14 defeat of Auburn in Week 5, a result that pushed the Volunteers to 4-1 and kept their season moving in the right direction. Sitting 15th in the national rankings, Tennessee has put itself in a spot where every week can still shape the bigger picture, and the margin for error in the SEC remains slim.
Mike Matthews addressed the media after the win and made the focus sound simple enough: consistency, preparation and being ready for what comes next. For a Tennessee team that is still in control of its own destiny, that kind of message matters as the schedule tightens and Arkansas comes into view, because the good feelings from one conference win do not mean much unless the Vols carry them forward. [Read more 🡒]