Kenneth Simon II, one of the top linebacker prospects in the Class of 2027, has trimmed his list of contenders to four SEC powerhouses - and yes, Tennessee made the cut. That shouldn't come as a shock.
The Vols have deep roots with the Simon family. Kenneth's father, Kevin Simon, was a standout linebacker for Tennessee in the early 2000s, and his connection to the program runs deep.
Joining Tennessee in the hunt are Alabama, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss - all heavyweights when it comes to recruiting top-tier defensive talent. Kenneth, a four-star linebacker out of Brentwood Academy in Tennessee, is one of the most sought-after in-state prospects for the Vols in this cycle.
He’s coming off a visit to Alabama’s junior day last weekend, and just a few weeks earlier, he was in Knoxville for Tennessee’s own junior day on January 17. That visit gave him valuable face time with the Vols’ new defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, and the rest of the defensive staff.
And according to his father, that meeting may have changed the game.
Kevin Simon, who knows the ins and outs of Tennessee football as both a former player and former staff member, didn’t hold back when he joined “The Erik Ainge Show” on Knoxville’s WNML radio. Speaking with Ainge, his former teammate, Simon Sr. made it clear: Jim Knowles’ arrival has reignited serious interest in Tennessee from his son.
“I like a great defensive mind pushing the right buttons, giving the defense an identity and a personality,” Kevin said. “And I know things have gone well [for Tennessee’s defense], but we haven’t necessarily had that defensively.”
He gave high praise to defensive line coach Rodney Garner - calling him the best coach on staff - but pointed to a lack of overall identity on the defensive side of the ball in recent years. That, he said, was a deal-breaker under former coordinator Tim Banks.
“My son was not going to play for Tim Banks. He just wasn’t,” Simon said bluntly. “No identity… he wasn’t going to play for him.”
Now, with Knowles in the fold - a coach known for crafting aggressive, disciplined defenses - the Vols are firmly back in the picture.
“Love that Jim Knowles is here, and Tennessee is definitely back in the mix now with Jim Knowles’ presence,” Kevin added. “So I’m really excited about where the defense is going.”
Kevin Simon’s history with the program adds weight to his words. He suited up for the Vols from 2002 to 2005, and later served on Tennessee’s staff under Jeremy Pruitt and briefly under Josh Heupel. He’s also worked as a scout in the NFL with the Cowboys and Falcons, so when he talks about defensive identity and coaching chops, it’s coming from a place of experience.
As for Kenneth, he’s been around the Tennessee program for years. He received an offer from the Vols last May, while still at Bearden High School in Knoxville, before transferring to Brentwood Academy last summer. He’s no stranger to the orange and white - he’s visited Tennessee multiple times, both as a recruit and long before that.
On the field, Kenneth is the kind of linebacker coaches build defenses around. According to 247Sports, he’s the No. 196 overall prospect and the No. 11 linebacker nationally in the 2027 class.
In the 247Sports Composite rankings, he checks in at No. 252 overall and No. 15 among linebackers. He’s also ranked as the No. 8 junior in Tennessee by 247Sports and No. 11 in the state in the Composite.
This recruitment is far from over, but Tennessee’s chances have clearly surged with Knowles now calling the shots on defense. For a program looking to build a more physical, identity-driven unit on that side of the ball, landing a player like Kenneth Simon II - especially with his deep ties to the program - would be a statement.