Tennessee’s recruiting machine hasn’t slowed down one bit, and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee is making sure the Vols stay aggressive in the trenches. His latest stop? Irmo, South Carolina - just a short drive from the University of South Carolina campus - where he checked in on four-star offensive tackle Nate Carson at Irmo High School.
Carson is one of the top names in the 2027 class, ranked No. 161 nationally and the No. 15 offensive tackle, per the 247Sports Composite. He’s also the No. 3 overall player in South Carolina, and it’s easy to see why schools across the country are lining up for his commitment.
The list of programs in pursuit reads like a who’s who of college football: Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, Oregon - and of course, Tennessee. The Vols were one of the first to get in the mix, extending an offer back in March of 2025. Only a handful of programs - including Alabama, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Georgia State, and South Carolina - offered before Tennessee got involved.
Carson has been no stranger to Knoxville, either. He was on campus most recently on January 17, where he spent time with Elarbee, head coach Josh Heupel, and the rest of the Tennessee staff.
That wasn’t his first visit, though. He’s already taken in a game day atmosphere at Neyland Stadium when the Vols hosted Georgia this past season, and he was also in attendance for the Orange & White spring game.
For Tennessee, building relationships early is key - especially with offensive linemen - and Elarbee’s visit to Irmo is a clear sign that Carson is high on the board. The Vols are laying the groundwork now, and with a long way to go before signing day in 2027, every touchpoint matters.
As it stands, Tennessee already has four commitments in the 2027 class. That group includes four-star offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, four-star defensive lineman Kadin Fife, three-star linebacker JP Peace, and three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitfield. It’s a solid foundation, but there’s plenty of room - and time - to build on it.
This comes on the heels of a massive 2026 recruiting haul. The Vols brought in 28 total commitments, with 27 signing during the early period and a local prospect jumping on board shortly after.
That class was headlined by three five-star talents: quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver TK Keys, and offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda. It’s a group that ranked fifth nationally and one that sets the tone for what Heupel and his staff are trying to build in Knoxville.
If Tennessee can keep that momentum rolling into 2027 - and land a player like Nate Carson in the process - the Vols could be looking at another top-tier class. The groundwork is there. Now it’s about closing the deal.