By JC Nevils
Recruiting has amped up and has been in full swing as of recently,
and Tennessee has been one of the hottest. In the past two and a half
weeks eight prospects have pledged to the Volunteers, including four
in the past week and a half. Let’s do a quick dive into that foursome.
1. CB Javonte Smith, Jackson North Side, (Jackson, Tenn.)
3-Star, No. 974 national, No. 80 CB, No. 37 Tenn.
A three-sport athlete whom also plays basketball along with
baseball, Smith is 6-foot, 170 pounds. He is an explosive athlete that can burn you on offense, while also
being lockdown in the defensive backfield. Last season as a junior
he amassed more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage on offense, while
adding four interceptions on defense.
© Jamar Coach/The Jackson Sun/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
2. LB Brayden Rouse, Kell, (Marietta, Ga.)
4-Star, No. 78 national, No. 4 LB, No. 10 Ga.
The highest rated prospect out of the group by a long shot,
and you can see why. He has a lot of range to where he can come
down hill and lay the big hit or drop back in coverage with ease. A
prototypical linebacker (6-foot-2.5, 220 pounds) nowadays whom plays sideline to sideline in
space along with having a high IQ.
IM HOME 🏠 pic.twitter.com/NcyZTYO8qN
— Brayden Rouse ✰ (@BraydenRouse8) July 9, 2025
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3. S Jowell Combay, Kell, (Marietta, Ga.)
3-Star, No. 580 national, No. 45 S, No. 66 Ga.
The teammate of Rouse at Kell High is no slouch
either. He secures the backend with a vengeance. When Combay (6-foot-1, 192 pounds) comes
downhill, you will certainly feel it when he hits you. In coverage he
has great instincts along with ball skills to bait the quarterback, and
high point the football. He had more than 90 tackles and three
interceptions last season.
BREAKING: Class of 2026 Safety Jowell Combay has Committed to Tennessee, he tells me for @rivals
The 6’2 195 S from Marietta, GA chose the Vols over South Carolina, Georgia, & Wisconsin
“I’m just getting started🍊#AGTG”https://t.co/vKVm0atwAG pic.twitter.com/RByPf2k0nI
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 9, 2025
4. OT JB Shabazz, East Forsyth, (Kernersville, N.C.)
4-Star, No. 332 national, No. 32 OT, No. 15 N.C.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 315 pounds, Shabazz is a very large human being
that towers over his opponents on the field. When he gets his hands
on you, it’s over. At the moment he is a better pass-blocker, but as
he learns, develops and gets more intense, he will be a monster. Also
plays basketball, so he can bend and move his hips as well. Great
potential here.
Newest 4⭐️ Tennessee commit J.B. Shabazz fakes out South Carolina and Ohio State before his commitment to the Vols 😭 pic.twitter.com/90S1hqZsrH
— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) July 11, 2025
As fall camp begins and the season goes on, the class with get even
bigger as well as better. Can the Vols end up with a top-10 group? I
believe so, but they have to do some more work.
They are trying to
flip five-star wide receiver and LSU commit Tristen Keys, and if that happens
that will go a long way. As of now the Vols sit at No. 13 nationally, but if
they keep this up then watch out folks.
