Tennessee’s new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, Anthony Poindexter, isn’t wasting any time hitting the recruiting trail-and he’s already making moves close to home.
One of his first targets? Dallas Pauldo, a 2027 prospect out of Rockvale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Pauldo, a versatile two-way player, announced on social media that he received a scholarship offer from the Vols after what he called a “great conversation” with Poindexter. That kind of early connection matters, especially when you’re trying to establish roots with local talent.
Pauldo is still flying a bit under the radar-he doesn’t yet have a star rating on 247Sports-but that hasn’t stopped SEC programs from taking notice. At 6-foot-5, he’s listed as an EDGE rusher by recruiting services, though his own profile notes he plays both defensive end and tight end. That kind of size and versatility is exactly what defensive staffs covet, especially in a league that thrives on athleticism in the trenches.
And Pauldo’s recruitment is heating up. Just in the past week, he’s picked up offers from Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Georgia.
The Missouri connection is particularly interesting: their lead recruiter on Pauldo is Levorn “Chop” Harbin, who was Tennessee’s LEOs coach last season before the Vols restructured their staff. That overlap adds a little extra intrigue to the recruiting battle.
Poindexter, meanwhile, is one of the key figures in that staff shakeup. He comes to Knoxville after a four-year run at Penn State, where he served as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
His final season in Happy Valley was under Jim Knowles-who now leads Tennessee’s defense as the new defensive coordinator. The two bring a wealth of experience and a reputation for player development, and they’re already putting their stamp on the program.
Poindexter isn’t just a respected coach-he’s a former star player in his own right. A standout at Virginia, he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 1998 and went on to win a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.
That pedigree carries weight in living rooms and locker rooms alike. But what might matter even more is his ability to connect with players on a personal level.
Just ask Tony Rojas, a linebacker Poindexter coached at Penn State. When Poindexter’s move to Tennessee became public, Rojas posted on social media: “This one hurt.
One of the rarest coaches I’ve seen actually care for us and build a genuine relationship with every player. Appreciate you and love you coach.”
That kind of endorsement speaks volumes.
Tennessee is coming off a strong recruiting cycle in 2026, signing 27 players and making real strides on the defensive front. Among the haul: four-star linemen Carter Gooden, Zach Groves, Jordan Carter, and Dereon Albert, along with a deep group of three-star EDGE rushers and interior defenders. The Vols’ class is currently ranked No. 9 nationally by 247Sports-a clear sign that the new staff is already making an impact.
And now, with eyes already on 2027, Poindexter is setting the tone early. Landing a local prospect like Pauldo could be another step in building a defense that’s not just talented-but built to last.