Joshua Lane has put a date on his college decision, and Tennessee is still very much in the mix.
The Memphis Central defensive lineman said on social media that he will announce his commitment on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Lane is a three-star prospect in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports, where he’s listed as the No. 889 player nationally, the No. 106 defensive lineman in the cycle, and the No. 35 player in Tennessee.
Lane’s recruitment has taken a sharp turn over the past few months. He initially committed to Memphis after an official visit on June 20, 2026, but later picked up a wave of SEC offers that included Tennessee, Mississippi State, Missouri, Alabama, and Kentucky. He then backed off that pledge on Sept. 20, reopening his recruitment for those schools and others.
Tennessee entered the picture on Sept. 14, and Lane has already made two trips to Knoxville since then. He was on campus for the Auburn game in October and returned last weekend for the Dark Mode matchup against Kentucky.
Lane also logged official visits to Alabama on Oct. 23 and Oklahoma State on Oct. 9.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Memphis native now has his decision date circled, and Tennessee’s class remains in the conversation as the 2027 cycle moves toward its finish. The Vols currently hold a No. 23 national ranking from 247Sports with 19 commitments. That group is led by five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, four-star wide receiver Kesean Bowman, and four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II.
In Other News...
Josh Heupels DaSaahn Brame Update Gives Vols Fans Some Relief
DaSaahn Brames exit against Kentucky briefly added another uneasy moment to Tennessees night, especially after the tight end went down following the controversial incomplete-pass ruling in the end zone. Anytime a player leaves with a head injury, the immediate concern is bigger than the result on the field, and for the Volunteers it was another reminder of how quickly a game can turn.
Josh Heupel eased some of that worry after the game, saying Brame is doing well and is expected to be in good condition for the upcoming matchup with Texas A&M. Tennessee still has to get through the first availability report, which comes Wednesday night, but for now the update gives Vols fans a little relief heading into a game week that already has plenty of attention on it. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Playoff Standing Suddenly Looks Less Comfortable Than It Seems
Tennessees spot in the latest College Football Playoff conversation looks secure on paper, but the broader SEC picture is starting to feel crowded. In ESPNs latest round of predictions, 11 of the networks 12 writers projected four SEC teams into the 2026 bracket, with Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas showing up most often as the leagues presumed heavyweights.
For the Volunteers, the takeaway is less about being in the mix and more about how little margin there may be if the conference keeps stacking contenders around them. Kentucky, despite sitting No. 6 in the initial CFP rankings, did not appear in any of the new projections, a reminder that early positioning can shift quickly once the selection debate starts to narrow. The full set of ESPN picks only reinforces how tightly the race is being judged at the top. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Defense Just Sent Texas A&M A Brutal Message
Tennessees defense kept rolling in a 34-6 win over Kentucky, and Arion Carter was at the center of it with 13 tackles, four for loss and two sacks. The Volunteers smothered the Wildcats from start to finish, forcing three turnovers and shutting down fourth-down chances as the game tilted decisively in Tennessees favor.
That kind of performance lands with extra force this week because Texas A&M is next on the schedule, and the Aggies are already in a precarious spot after a loss to South Carolina. They need to win two of their final three games to become bowl eligible, and now they have to do it against a Tennessee defense that just spent an afternoon sending a very clear message. [Read more 🡒]