Tennessee Recruiting: 2025 commit breakdown

Tennessee signed a pair of five-stars and finished with a top-15 recruiting class last cycle. Now, Josh Heupel and the Volunteers are looking to do the same with the 2025 class.

August is on the horizon and Tennessee is shaping up to be near the top of the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings come December. The Vols’ class now checks in at No. 11 in the nation and No. 5 in the SEC, as of July 27.

From a trio of elite in-staters to top Peach State prospects, 19 recruits are now committed to Heupel and his staff in Knoxville.

Tennessee Class Breakdown

Five top-100 prospects are now in the mix for the Vols this cycle following the addition of Lyons (Ga.) Toombs County four-star safety Lagonza Hayward. On3’s No. 4 safety in the nation, Hayward is the fifth blue-chipper on the defensive side of the ball for Tennessee this cycle.

Nashville Brentwood Academy four-star quarterback George MacIntyre remains the top pledge in the class and continued to play lead recruiter for the Vols. Now the No. 8 QB in the nation, the gunslinger is also the No. 1 player in Tennessee.

Las Vegas Bishop Gorman four-star interior offensive lineman Douglas Utu and Elkhart (Ind.) Central four-star EDGE Mariyon Dye highlight the six June additions for UT. Both are top-100 recruits, while Somerville (N.J.) four-star EDGE Jayden Loftin and Dandridge (Tenn.) Jefferson County four-star IOL Nic Moore also pledged last month.

July has continued to bring top talent to Knoxville. Hayward is the third blue-chipper out of Georgia to commit this month, flanking Atlanta Westlake four-star wide receiver Travis Smith and Covington (Ga.) Eastside four-star linebacker Christian Gass.

Other top commits in Tennessee’s class include: Nashville Ensworth four-star defensive lineman Ethan Utley, Memphis Sheffield four-star WR Radarious Jackson and Southlake (Texas) Carroll four-star tight end Jack Van Dorselaer.

Top Offensive Commit: QB George MacIntyre

The 6-foot-6.25, 190-pound MacIntyre is the No. 50 overall prospect in the nation. He chose the in-state program over Alabama and LSU, providing a major recruiting win for the staff on Rocky Top.

On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about him as a prospect:

“Measured in at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds during summer campus visits. George MacIntyre- Tall signal caller with strong projectable tools as a passer and playmaker. Measured in at around 6-foot-5.5, 185 pounds with a 9.25-inch hand prior to his junior season. Has a tall, wiry build that should continue to fill out over time. Touts a tight, compact throwing motion with little moving parts. The release is whippy quick. Flashes good arm strength, with the ability to flick passes out to the boundary and downfield. Mechanical foundation points to a baseline level of accuracy. A bouncy, light-footed mover within the pocket. Avoids pressure in the backfield, stepping up in the pocket. Capable of making high-level second-reaction plays. Has strong improvisational skills.

…Shows a long stride in the open field. Doubles as a high-level high school basketball player and received high major looks as an underclassman. Plays a tough schedule, but does not have the production or efficiency typical of an elite quarterback prospect. High school team struggled in his junior season. Will need to continue making strides as a player on Friday night and adding weight to his frame, but has the potential to be one of the top quarterbacks to come out of the 2025 cycle.”

Top Defensive Commit: EDGE Mariyon Dye

The 6-foot-4.75, 268-pound Dye wasted no time joining Tennessee’s class following a June official visit to Knoxville. A major outlier in the 2025 On300, Dye is an elite defensive prospect who’s stock continues to rise as he prepares for his senior season.

Dye talked his commitment to the Vols with On3’s Hayes Fawcett:

“The way that they treated my family when I was down there and the relationship that I have built with the coaches over the past year. Coach Chop and coach Heupel literally call me everyday and don’t even talk to me about football. They check up on me and see how my day is going.”

“I’m closest to coach Chop for sure. He is like a father figure to me. Their plan is to develop me into not just the best football player, but the best man I could be so I could get to the next level.”