With winter workouts in full swing and most of Tennessee’s 2026 signing class already on campus, the recruiting rankings that dominated headlines over the past year are officially in the rearview. The stars next to a player's name have served their purpose. Now, it’s about who can translate hype into production when spring ball kicks off in a few months.
That said, one final round of rankings did bring a bit of movement-and some good news for the Vols.
Rivals dropped its final recruiting update of the cycle, and Tennessee saw a nice bump in the national rankings. The Vols’ 27-man class now checks in at No. 8 in the country, up three spots from No.
- That’s a strong finish to a cycle that’s been trending upward for Josh Heupel and his staff, and it reflects the kind of talent Tennessee is bringing into Knoxville.
One of the biggest movers in the update was EDGE rusher Carter Gooden, who climbed an impressive 75 spots to land at No. 74 nationally. That kind of late-cycle surge usually signals strong senior tape or standout performances in postseason showcases-either way, it’s a promising sign for Tennessee’s pass rush future.
Looking at the broader national picture, Southern Cal took the top spot in the final rankings, with Notre Dame and Oregon rounding out the top three. The SEC, as usual, made its presence felt with Georgia (No.
4), Alabama (No. 5), Texas A&M (No. 7), and Miami (No. 10) all cracking the top 10.
Ohio State and Miami (2025 runner-up) also made the cut at No. 6 and No. 9, respectively.
Elsewhere in the SEC, LSU landed at No. 11, Florida at No.
15, South Carolina at No. 18, Vanderbilt at No. 29, and Kentucky at No.
But back in Knoxville, the focus has already shifted from rankings to reps. Of the 27 signees, 24 have already enrolled and are on campus, getting a head start in the weight room, film room, and building chemistry with their future teammates. Tennessee shared photos and videos of the move-in day on January 15 and formally announced the full list of early enrollees on January 26.
Here’s the full list of early arrivals: defensive backs Zay Anderson, Jowell Combay, KJ McClain, Javonte Smith, Jamyan Theodore, Luke Thompson, and Joel Wyatt; offensive linemen Ed Baker, Kamari Blair, JJ Finch, and Gabriel Osenda; quarterback Faizon Brandon; EDGE rushers Breeze Carter, CJ Edwards, Kedric Golston II, Carter Gooden, Zach Groves, and Hezekiah Harris; wide receiver TK Keys; defensive lineman Darryl Rivers; linebackers Brayden Rouse and TJ White; punter Logan Foley; and tight end Luca Wolf.
According to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, Tennessee’s class ranks No. 7 nationally and No. 3 in the SEC. That’s a strong position to be in, especially considering how critical early development is for freshmen looking to make an impact.
The real test, of course, begins when the pads come on. But for now, Tennessee’s 2026 class is off to a fast start-on paper and on campus.