The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to build on their College Football Playoff momentum by stacking elite talent in the 2025 recruiting class — and they’re well on their way.
Coming off an impressive top-3 SEC finish in 2024 and a national semifinal appearance, Josh Heupel’s program currently holds the No. 13 spot in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, with expectations to climb higher before the cycle ends.
Headlined by a 5-Star QB: Faizon Brandon
At the center of this class is Faizon Brandon, the dynamic five-star quarterback from Grimsley High School in North Carolina. Ranked No. 12 nationally and the No. 3 quarterback overall, Brandon committed to Tennessee in August 2024 over a long list of powerhouse programs.
“The first impression they made on me was unlike any other,” Brandon told On3. “They recruited me hard from the start and never slowed down.”
The 6-foot-3.5, 195-pound signal caller completed 76% of his passes last season, throwing for over 2,100 yards and 27 touchdowns, showing elite accuracy and command of the offense.
Vols Building on Both Sides of the Ball
Tennessee already has nine commitments, with a balanced spread between offense and defense. The offensive firepower is bolstered by four-star wideout Tyreek King, top tight end Carson Sneed, and four-star offensive tackle Gabe Osenda.
Defensively, the Vols have quietly added depth and potential, including Zach Groves, a high-upside EDGE rusher ranked in the top 300, and a pair of developmental safeties in KJ McClain and Luke Thompson.
Position-by-Position Breakdown of Vols 2025 Commits
| Position | Player | Rating | National Rank | Position Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Faizon Brandon | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No. 12 | No. 3 QB |
| WR | Tyreek King | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No. 120 | No. 17 WR |
| TE | Carson Sneed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No. 320 | No. 16 TE |
| OT | Gabe Osenda | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No. 156 | No. 13 OT |
| EDGE | Zach Groves | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No. 251 | No. 28 EDGE |
| EDGE | CJ Edwards | ⭐⭐⭐ | No. 567 | No. 57 EDGE |
| LB | Braylon Outlaw | ⭐⭐⭐ | No. 582 | No. 47 LB |
| SAF | KJ McClain | ⭐⭐⭐ | No. 517 | No. 44 S |
| SAF | Luke Thompson | ⭐⭐⭐ | No. 1002 | No. 92 S |
What’s Next for Tennessee?
With multiple blue-chip targets still on the board and June official visits in full swing, Tennessee is well-positioned to break back into the top 10 by the fall. The program’s recent success, high-flying offense, and rising national profile under Heupel continue to make Knoxville an attractive destination for elite talent.
Bottom Line: The Vols Are Just Getting Started
Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class has star power, positional balance, and plenty of upside. If the coaching staff can close strong in the back half of the cycle, expect the Vols to finish with one of the top 10 classes in the country — and perhaps even top 5.
