Josh Heupel discusses how Tennessee has been able to compete on the recruiting trail

Tennessee football has taken a turn for the better since Josh Heupel took over the program in 2021. Still punching itself up the SEC East ladder, Tennessee is poised for a breakout year, and in turn help shy various blue-chip prospects away from other schools in favor of the Vols.

“You gotta win your fair share of those [recruiting] battles, and we’re getting the right kids on campus,” Heupel said in a recent interview with ESPN’s Chris Low. “As we go through the rest of this recruiting cycle, we’re going to have to close and win some of those battles too.

“But there’s a lot of positivity and a lot of momentum in what we’re doing, the experiences that our guys are having and our recruits are having when they’re on campus. This university, this city, the passion of our fan base … is second to none. We’re fighting the good fights, man. We’ve got to win some of these here down the stretch, but I think we’re in a good position.”

Heupel brought in the No. 17 overall recruiting class for 2022, according to the On3 Consensus, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services, and already has the No. 12 class for 2023.

Following a Music City Bowl berth and subsequent 7-6 overall record, Heupel will have to do more than just flaunt his accolades on the field – he’s got to sell the pitch that these recruits are the players to lead the Vols to it’s next prestigious bowl game.

That pitch is easier to sell in 2022 thanks to NIL and the instant transfer portal – no matter where athletes choose to go to school, the possibility for them to benefit off their personal brand is a key factor in every recruit’s decision. That’s why Heupel believes that playing their college football in Knoxville, Tennessee is a no-brainer.

“I think this is a great, great collegiate city, one of the greatest college towns and college cities, and that’s how I describe it,” Heupel; said. “Everything bleeds orange and white, and there are so many opportunities, a great place, great businesses with worldwide national headquarters being located here.

“Our fan base is as rabid as any, top five on any social media platform that you look at. You put all those factors together, our stadium seating over 100,000, and there are a lot of unique opportunities here.”