The class of 2027 recruiting is in full swing, and prospects are zeroing in on what schools they have a serious interest in. Right now, Josh Heupel has landed four commits and will look to add to this number as the weeks continue. The first step to landing a top player is making their top list, and the Vols have done just that with one of their plan A safety targets.
Four-star safety Kaleb Elkins has released his top six schools. Tennessee made the cut along with Indiana, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Oregon. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound safety is ranked as the No. 166 player in the nation by Rivals and the No. 18 safety in the country. Betaing out the defending national champions plus Ohio State, Oregon, etc won't be easy, but making the final six is a good sign for the Vols. Vanderbilt and Missouri are his only two official visits scheduled so far this summer. That will be the next step for Heupel.
NEWS: Four-Star Safety Kaleb Elkins is down to 6 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals⁰⁰The 6’3 185 S from Indianapolis, IN is ranked as the No. 1 DB in Indiana in the 2027 Rivals300⁰⁰Where Should He Go?https://t.co/rnvScYSrqd pic.twitter.com/fHriKwFYrZ
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 10, 2026
Tennenesee makes the top six for Kaleb Elkins
This is another big development for the Vosl recruiting. Jim Knowles has already made a huge impact in the transfer portal by grabbing a handful of safeties, and now in the high school recruiting ranks, Knowles is making moves. The Knowles defense is known for its three-safety looks, so having depth and talent in the secondary is a must.
Plus, you can't overlook the fact that Elkins fits perfectly in Knoxville. He has a long wingspan and is an athletic player who can move from sideline to sideline. The blend of size and physicality that Elkins brings to the gridiron is huge for the Vols. He is just scratching the surface of his potential.
With all of that said, it’s encouraging for the Tennessee Volunteers football to be in the mix, even if it’s still early in the recruiting cycle. Head coach Josh Heupel ideally can build some positive momentum this spring with a few key commits. It’s not uncommon for players to strike while the iron is hot, setting off a domino effect that can bring in even more talent and shape the class of 2027.