Examining Tennessee's in-state recruiting successes under Josh Heupel
Each week during the season, Volquest will examine recruiting battles and/or successes in the area or against the team Tennessee faces. The season is upon us and the Vols are set to take on Chattanooga in the opener. It goes without saying the Vols are not battling the Mocs for recruits, so Volquest will examine Tennessee’s successes inside of the state of Tennessee.
A look at current Vols from the state of Tennessee
It should come as no shock that the Tennessee roster is littered with players from inside of the state including the likes of DB Andre Turrentine, LB Arion Carter, DB Jakobe Thomas, DL Elijah Simmons, LB Edwin Spillman, DL Bryson Eason, DL Omari Thomas, DB Boo Carter, DB Kaleb Beasley, RB DeSean Bishop, DB Marcus Goree, OL Cooper Mays, OL Ayden Bussell, OL Trevor Duncan, OL Dayne Davis, OL Jesse Perry, OL Jackson Lampley, WR Nate Spillman, TE Charlie Browder, Kicker Max Gilbert, DL Nathan Robinson, Kicker Josh Turbyville, and DL Carson Gentle, among others.
Five Key In-state Recruiting Wins Under Josh Heupel
LB Arion Carter
Carter’s recruitment exploded during his senior season, and the Vols were a major player from the jump. Tennessee faced stiff competition as Alabama, led by Nick Saban and Pete Golding, made a strong push for the coveted linebacker prospect. The Vols won out in the end and gave Tennessee a signature defensive recruiting win against the Crimson Tide, and Carter has already started to make his presence known on Rocky Top.
Lipscomb standouts Kaleb Beasley and Edwin Spillman
Tennessee’s staff made the coveted defensive duo a priority early on after arriving on Rocky Top. The Vols secured Beasley’s commitment during his Junior season, but the standout defensive back was prioritized by other schools for months, and they had to outlast multiple pushes from Notre Dame to secure his signature.
Spillman was another key win for Heupel and Company, but while his brother was already on campus, Tennessee had to earn Spillman’s commitment. Ohio State prioritized him and pushed for him to land in Columbus, but his relationship with the entire staff and the players on the roster at Tennessee was pivotal in his decision-making process. Spillman, and Beasley alike, will have opportunities to make plays for the Vols this year, even if just on special teams to start.
DB Boo Carter
Carter’s recruitment kept everyone on their toes, but he always had a strong desire to end up on Rocky Top. Michigan made a strong run in the summer leading into his senior season, but he ultimately chose the Vols in a live commitment from New York City. Later in the fall, Tennessee had to outlast a push from Deion Sanders and Colorado, who attempted to sell him on a promise of playing both ways at the college level. Carter has a chance to make an impact on defense at Nickel and special teams this fall.
EDGE Caleb Herring
Herring’s recruitment seemingly was always going to end up at Tennessee, but it did not make him any less important for the Vols in the 2023 class. Tennessee has stacked prized EDGE rushers and Herring has continued to impress since arriving on campus last year. He will certainly factor into Tennessee’s rotation in 2024.
Tennessee has been excellent inside of the state in the 2025 cycle. Guys like Nic Moore, Radarious Jackson, Ethan Utley and Joakim Dodson certainly cannot be overlooked in this cycle because they are guys the Vols covet and did so for a long time before landing their commitment. However, when Josh Heupel hones in on a quarterback, all eyes seem to turn to it. MacIntyre was a statement win for the Vols during the winter as they landed his commitment over Alabama and others, and he has been a driving force behind the top-ten recruiting class the Vols currently have.
Five In-State names to know for the future not already mentioned
Tennessee secured Sneed’s commitment in early August, and it was another key win on the recruiting trail for Alec Abeln. The 2026 TE is an ideal fit for what the Vols look for at the position and bolsters the room even more for the foreseeable future.
Tennessee has continued to work after the USC commit from the mid-state, and there is hope he could at least return to Rocky Top this fall at some point. The versatile running back has the attention of multiple programs in the Southeast despite his commitment to the Trojans.
The Knoxville-area has not been a spot stocked with talent that Tennessee has pursued in the last couple of cycles, but Knoxville Catholic wide receiver Tyreek King is a priority for the Tennessee staff. He has been to campus numerous times and will be back in the fall as the Vols look to continue building momentum in this recruitment.
Morris’s teammate, Tutt, is a dynamic safety, and one of the Vols have been keeping early tabs on. He makes a lot of plays for perennial powerhouse Oakland and is looking to return to Rocky Top this fall for a game.
Groves is looking to get back to town this fall, and the coveted EDGE has continued to tell us that Tennessee is one program that makes him feel like a priority. He checks a lot of boxes as a defender and is one Tennessee will continue to keep close tabs on during his Junior season.
