Coaches are definitely on edge during the transfer portal period, as they play a high-stakes game of musical chairs with their star players. No one understands this better than Josh Heupel this season. He lost his quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, to UCLA but gained UCLA-commit QB Joey Aguilar for his team. They’re not stopping there, though. With Tennessee’s staff hitting the recruiting trail hard this spring and summer, it is crucial for the Vols to land their top targets. And they’ve got two aces up their sleeve.
Heupel recently explained their recruiting approach, highlighting the importance of early connections and a strong home base. He said, “Tennessee’s unique in all the states that touch it, how close in proximity it is to so many great players.” And yes, it’s the regional advantage the Vols are banking on.
Heupel also gave credit where it’s due—pointing to the relentless grind of his staff and the culture they’ve built. “I think the success of recruiting for us isn’t something that has just happened in the last six weeks. I think that there’s so much hard work that goes into it from your staff and your players here on campus when the recruits come to campus at this point in our tenure, having long-standing relationships with coaches.” So, it’s clear—Tennessee is playing the long game and playing it well.
Tennessee is on the rise, currently holding the No. 12 recruiting class in the On3 rankings—and that number could climb soon. This past Saturday, Knoxville was buzzing as top commits and elite targets rolled into town for the annual 865 Live event. The Vols made a statement. From the energy on campus to the one-on-one time with the staff, the experience left a mark. According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong in a May 25th X post, feedback from the weekend is rolling in—and it’s all pointing to major momentum for the Big Orange.
Top recruits were impressed after a big weekend at Tennessee, @SWiltfong_ reports
“This trip helped a lot.”
Read: https://t.co/NVz5gJlcHw pic.twitter.com/zFXD4vEyvK
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 25, 2025
Josh Heupel got a major update this weekend from 5-star RB Savion Hiter—the No. 1 RB in the nation, per On3. The Louisa County (Va.) phenom made his way back to Rocky Top, this time with his parents in tow. Friday night kicked off with dinner at Heupel’s house, setting the tone for a fun-filled 865 Live. From a campus scavenger hunt to a talent show, putting challenge, and some classic stadium BBQ, Hiter and his family soaked up the Vols’ vibe—no heavy football talk, just connection.
The visit hit all the right notes. Sources say Tennessee and Michigan may be out in front, but OSU and Georgia are still firmly in the race with official visits lined up for June. The battle for Hiter is heating up—and Tennessee just made a strong move.
Tennessee is set to make its final pitch in the Savion Hiter sweepstakes, hosting the five-star running back for an official visit the weekend of June 20. It’ll be his last stop—right after another trip to Ann Arbor. Yup, OSU gets the first shot this coming weekend, with Georgia lined up for June 6. However, Hiter, ranked No. 11 overall via On3, has already made strong connections in Knoxville. And his spring visit left a lasting impression on the family.
“I think at Tennessee the culture around the student-athletes..the way they have their supporting staff and resources available for the athletes. Also, it’s a smaller campus than some of the other ones in his top four, so it’s more similar to the area here. He likes that. He’s built a great relationship with Coach Sims. To be developed by a coach and a coaching staff he feels comfortable with and an offense he can see himself thriving in and can fit very well into,” said Hiter’s mother, Aishia. So, with all eyes on June, the Vols are in a prime position to make a lasting impression.
But Josh Heupel’s recruiting magic isn’t just landing top offensive talent—it’s catching the eyes of elite defenders too….
Tennessee’s rise on the national stage, powered by a dominant defense that helped punch a ticket to the CFP last fall, is turning heads across the country. One of those heads belongs to Brayden Rouse, a 4-star LB from Marietta (Ga.) Kell, who sees himself anchoring the Vols’ defense for years to come. Rouse has had Tennessee high on his radar for months, and his recent visit only strengthened that connection. “The environment was great,” said Rouse. Adding, “It was a different feel because there wasn’t much football talk but it was different from most visits I’ve been on.”
Rouse will return to Knoxville for his official visit on the weekend of June 20—the same weekend as fellow 5-star Savion Hiter. Tennessee will battle with Michigan, Bama, and Texas for Rouse’s signature, but the Vols’ upward trajectory has him intrigued. “They have great players year in and year out and compete for a National Championship every year,” he said. Ranked No. 7 among LBs and No. 100 overall via On3, Rouse is the kind of defensive difference-maker who fits perfectly into Heupel’s vision for the future. But the buzz doesn’t stop there—more elite recruits are taking notice as Tennessee’s recruiting weekend continues to turn heads.
Josh Heupel’s recruiting hot streak
Things are heating up between the Vols and in-state standout Kamari Blair. The Clarksville Kirkwood OL, ranked in the On300, recently received an offer from the Vols—and momentum is building fast.
Blair named Vols in his top 6 just two weeks ago, and now he’s fresh off a visit to campus. “It was great,” Blair said. “Got to know some of the recruits and spent more time with the coaching staff.” Originally set to visit Kentucky on June 20, he’s now giving that OV spot to the Vols after a strong impression at the 865 Live Event. “It helped them a lot just because they came in late,” he noted. “This trip helped a lot.” Because Blair sees real potential in Rocky Top. “The fanbase and then how Coach Elarbee and Coach Heupel have been there for so long and been coaching together for 10-plus years.”
Not only this, Huntsville (Ala.) Jemison edge rusher Hezekiah Harris, committed to Auburn for nearly a year, has been warming up to the Vols—he even joined Josh Heupel on campus. Although Texas A&M is making waves for top edge rusher Tristian Givens, Tennessee remains a top favorite, with Givens praising his recent visit to VolQuest’s Matt Ray.
On top of that, Raleigh’s Keysaun Eleazer showed up Friday, and the Vols are pushing hard. Former commit Brandon Anderson is back on campus, keeping Vols in the driver’s seat. Plus, The Webb School’s Joel Wyatt continues to lean Vols, according to the On3 RPM.
Moreover, Chattanooga’s Jamyan Theodore is feeling the heat as Tennessee’s interest grows stronger. “Today’s environment was great!” Theodore said. “They made me feel like a priority, and the program’s success in developing DBs and competing in the SEC is impressive.” The Vols’ energy was clear with commits like tight end Carson Sneed, who called it “lots of excitement and good vibes,” and linebacker Braylon Outlaw, who praised the staff’s family-like atmosphere. Then OL Gabriel Osenda echoed the sentiment, stating, “The whole energy in Knoxville excites me. It’s a great place to develop and build my future.” So, Tennessee’s recruiting buzz is turning heads for all the right reasons.
The post Josh Heupel Learns Big Update From 5-Star Savion Hiter and Other Elite Recruits as Tennessee Recruiting Weekend Turns Heads appeared first on EssentiallySports.