Josh Heupel just took a step toward the elite category for recruiting skills amongst SEC head coaches. The Tennessee head coach just earned a commitment from Brayden Rouse, a four-star wide receiver.
Sure, Heupel had earned four-star commitments in the past, and has clearly found a recipe for recruiting success in the conference. But, the most notable part of Rouse's commitment? He's from Georgia.
In fact, Rouse is from Marietta, GA, less than two hours away from Athens, the hometown of the Georgia Bulldogs and their legendary head coach, Kirby Smart.
BREAKING: FOUR-STAR LINEBACKER BRAYDEN ROUSE HAS COMMITTED TO TENNESSEE! 🍊
— Vol Scoops (@VolScoops) July 8, 2025
The 6’3 205 Marietta, Georgia native is the No. 4 LB in the 2026 class according to 247 Sports Rankings
HUGE PICKUP BY JOSH HEUPEL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EXnXrtRdSW
Don't get too ahead of yourself, Smart and the Bulldogs still lay claim to the No. 2 recruiting class of 2026. However, Rouse's commitment bumped the Tennessee Volunteers up to No. 13.
Rouse with the 19th player to commit to the Vols in the class, and the ninth four-star. So far, Heupel has landed one five-star, nine four-star, and nine three-star prospects to play for Tennessee in the next recruiting cycle.
Josh Heupel's 2026 blue-chip commitments
- Faizon Brandon, five-star quarterback
- TJ White, four-star linebacker
- Brayden Rouse, four-star linebacker
- Gabriel Osenda, four-star offensive tackle
- Tyreek King, four-star wide receiver
- Zach Groves, four-star EDGE
- Legend Bey, four-star ATH
- Carson Sneed, four-star tight end
- Dereon Albert, four-star defensive lineman
- Kedric Golston II, four-star EDGE
- Zaydyn Anderson, three-star cornerback
- KJ McClain, three-star safety
- CJ Edwards, three-star EDGE
- Braylon Outlaw, three-star linebacker
- Darryl Rivers, three-star defensive lineman
- Jamyan Theodore, three-star cornerback
- Javonte Smith, three-star wide receiver
- Luke Thompson, three-star safety
- Edward Baker, three-star interior offensive lineman
To put it simply, the Volunteers are going to talent beyond belief for years to come, with this class of prospects not joining the team in Knoxville until next spring. Heupel's class of 2026 commitments ranks fifth in the SEC, only trailing Georgia, Texas, A&M, Alabama, and LSU.
Tennessee has out-recruited the previously dominant Texas Longhorns, who brought in the No. 1 overall class of 2025 commits.
Yes, in the modern day of college football, a recruiting class could transform in the blink of an eye as young prospects chase the biggest opportunities (and biggest NIL deals). However, laying the groundwork with a top-15 class is exactly what Heupel needed to do.