Tennessee just pulled off something we haven’t seen from them in over a decade - and it’s a major statement about where this program is headed. With the release of 247Sports’ final Top247 rankings for the 2026 class, the Vols locked in three five-star signees - a rare achievement that’s happened only once before in the program’s history, according to 247Sports.
Let’s break it down.
The Headliners: Brandon, Keys, and Osenda
The trio of five-stars - quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver Tristen Keys, and offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda - didn’t just sneak into the top 32. They’ve held their ground there for months, and Monday’s final rankings confirmed what Vols fans have known for a while: this class is loaded at the top.
Brandon has been the face of this group since his early commitment back in August 2024. The Greensboro, N.C. native wrapped up the cycle as the No. 3 overall prospect and No. 3 quarterback in the country.
That’s despite slipping one spot in the final update - a minor drop for a player who held the No. 1 overall spot for more than 18 months after first claiming it in April 2024. Brandon’s been a steady force throughout the process, and his combination of poise, arm talent, and leadership has Tennessee fans dreaming big.
Then there’s Tristen Keys, a dynamic playmaker out of Hattiesburg, Miss., who originally committed to LSU before flipping to Tennessee in late August. At 6-foot-1.5 and 194 pounds, Keys brings the kind of speed and route-running polish that makes him a nightmare for defensive backs.
He finished as the No. 12 overall player and the top-ranked wide receiver in the class, even after sliding two spots - largely due to a senior season hampered by injuries. When healthy, Keys has the tools to be an instant-impact player in Knoxville.
Rounding out the five-star group is Gabriel Osenda, a Canadian-born offensive tackle who played his final two high school seasons at Baylor School in Chattanooga. Osenda committed to Tennessee in January 2025 and has been rising ever since.
He became a five-star in May and held onto that status despite dropping three spots in the final update. He ends the cycle as the No. 27 overall prospect, the No. 5 offensive tackle, and the No. 2 player in Tennessee.
With his size, footwork, and upside, Osenda looks like a future anchor on the Vols’ offensive line.
Historic Company
This marks the first time since 2015 that Tennessee has signed multiple five-stars in a single class. That 2015 group - which featured names like Kahlil McKenzie, Kyle Phillips, Preston Williams, and Alvin Kamara - still stands as the program’s highest-ranked class since 247Sports began tracking in 2010. While it’s too early to compare legacies, this 2026 trio is already drawing attention for the sheer talent they bring to the table.
Depth Beyond the Stars
But it’s not just the top-end talent that makes this class special. Tennessee’s 2026 haul features nine players in the final Top247 and seven top-100 prospects - a sign that this group is deep, not just top-heavy.
Linebacker TJ White, a former standout at Jackson (Miss.) Academy, nearly cracked five-star territory himself, landing at No. 34 overall after a late surge. He’s joined by other high-upside names like athlete Joel Wyatt, edge rusher Carter Gooden, and linebacker Brayden Rouse, all of whom finished in the top 100.
In total, the Vols signed 13 four-star prospects, giving them a well-rounded class that blends elite talent with quality depth across the board.
Where the Class Ranks
Following the final update, Tennessee’s 2026 class holds steady at No. 7 nationally in the 247Sports rankings. In the always-cutthroat SEC, that places them third - trailing only Alabama (No. 2) and Georgia (No. 6) in the conference.
So what does it all mean? Simply put, Tennessee is stacking talent at a level that puts them in the conversation with college football’s elite. And with a quarterback like Faizon Brandon leading the charge, the Vols aren’t just building for the future - they’re positioning themselves to compete now.