Josh Heupel and his Tennessee staff are making sure the holiday season comes with a little extra excitement on the recruiting front. While most programs are still wrapping up their 2026 classes, the Vols are already deep into 2027 territory - and they’re not just window shopping. They’re aggressively targeting top-tier talent, and early returns suggest they’re positioning themselves as major players.
One of the latest developments? Tennessee has cracked the top five for one of the premier defensive backs in the 2027 cycle: Hayden Stepp.
Stepp, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound cornerback out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, isn’t just another name on the board - he’s a national recruit. Ranked as the No. 23 overall player and the No. 3 cornerback in the 2027 class by Rivals, Stepp brings a rare blend of size, athleticism, and polish that has him squarely on the radar of college football’s elite. His top five includes Tennessee, Alabama, Oregon, Clemson, and Miami - a who’s who of powerhouse programs.
And that’s exactly the kind of company you want to keep if you're Tennessee. Sure, it means the road to a commitment won’t be easy - this recruitment is expected to stretch deep into next year - but it also signals that the Vols are firmly in the mix for a player with serious upside.
What makes Stepp such a coveted prospect? Start with the frame.
At 6’3”, he brings elite length to the cornerback position - the kind of dimensions that defensive coordinators dream about. But it’s not just about size.
Stepp can move. He’s fluid in coverage, physical at the line, and shows the kind of instincts that separate good corners from great ones.
There’s a reason some evaluators believe he could push for playing time as a true freshman, even at a major program.
And it’s not like he’s putting up numbers against soft competition. Stepp plays for Bishop Gorman, a national powerhouse that churns out Division I talent every year.
He’s battle-tested, having faced high-level opponents week in and week out. He’s also earned invites to the Under Armour All-American Game and the Polynesian Bowl - two of the most prestigious showcases for high school talent.
What’s especially encouraging for Tennessee is that their standing with Stepp hasn’t wavered despite recent staff changes. The departure of former defensive coordinator Tim Banks could’ve disrupted things, but so far, the relationship has held steady.
That’s a credit to the groundwork already laid by the staff - and a big opportunity for new DC Jim Knowles to build momentum heading into 2026. If Knowles can deliver a strong first season in Knoxville, it could go a long way in showing Stepp - and other top recruits - that Tennessee is the right place to develop into a pro.
The Vols are already coming off an impressive 2026 class, and the early signs for 2027 suggest they’re not slowing down. They’re leading for a top edge rusher, pushing hard to flip a four-star quarterback from Illinois, and now they’ve made the shortlist for one of the best cornerbacks in the country.
There’s still a long way to go in Stepp’s recruitment, but Tennessee’s presence in his top five is a big deal. It shows they’re not just keeping pace - they’re setting the tone early in the 2027 cycle. And if things keep trending this way, the Vols could be looking at back-to-back elite classes that reshape the future of the program.