The Tennessee Volunteers have zeroed in on a blue-chip quarterback in the class of 2027, but so have a handful of other Power Conference programs, including one that just named one of Josh Heupel's former assistants as its head coach.
Heupel and the Vols are focusing their recruiting efforts on four-star quarterback Israel Abrams, who is the No. 3 QB in the class of 2027, but so are the Auburn Tigers and their head coach, Alex Golesh.
Golesh was Heupel's offensive coordinator and tight ends coach when he first took over the Tennessee program in 2021. Then, Golesh went on to become the head coach of the South Florida Bulls before taking over at Auburn at the end of last season.
Josh Heupel, Alex Golesh, and others targeting Israel Abrams
Earlier this week, Abrams announced five official visits, including trips to Knoxville and Auburn. He also shared he would visit Purdue, Florida State, and Kentucky, tacking on additional pressure for Heupel to land his commitment.
Israel Abrams official visit schedule
- Purdue Boilermakers - May 22
- Auburn Tigers - June 5
- Florida State Seminoles - June 12
- Kentucky Wildcats - June 19
- Tennessee Volunteers - TBD
Abrams has already taken a slew of unofficial visits, making three previous trips to Knoxville to check out everything the Volunteers and their head coach have to offer. He has made two previous trips to Auburn and Purdue, one trip to Kentucky, and one stop at Florida State.
NEW: Elite QB Israel Abrams will take official visits to Purdue, Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida State, @SWiltfong_ reports✈️
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 16, 2026
Abrams ranks No. 44 NATL. (No. 3 QB) in the 2027 class.
Read: https://t.co/GlExuDyreI pic.twitter.com/VrshI7GOcn
The reason Abrams is such a highly sought-after quarterback? Well, his stats simply speak for themselves.
During his junior season, Abrams amassed 4,072 passing yards for 40 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He ran for an additional 224 yards and 10 more touchdowns. He even caught a three-yard reception as the cherry on top of it all.
Heupel will have to show Abrams that he taught Golesh everything he knows, proving that the Vols' head coach is the superior of the pair. Leaning on his recent success with quarterbacks and in the SEC, especially compared to Auburn, wouldn't hurt either.