Last weekend was a huge success for Tennessee and Josh Heupel, but this weekend could end up being even bigger. The Vols already got things rolling by flipping Kenneth Simon III from Alabama. The legacy four-star prospect projects as an excellent fit in Jim Knowles’ defense.
A new insider report suggests Tennessee is gaining serious ground in the flip market
Then, Tennessee beat out James Franklin and Virginia Tech for Q'Mari Hudson, a four-star offensive tackle right in Franklin’s backyard. Landing a player of Hudson’s caliber from Virginia is a significant recruiting win for the Vols.
According to Hayes Fawcett of On3, Hudson delivered a quote that Tennessee fans are going to love. Shortly after announcing his commitment to the Vols, he said:
“No shortcuts. No excuses. Just work.”
BREAKING: Four-Star OT Q’Mari Hudson has Committed to Tennessee, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 13, 2026
The 6’5 325 OT chose the Vols over Virginia Tech
“No shortcuts. No excuses. Just work.”⁰https://t.co/I46rNhfl1J pic.twitter.com/23ElWA4cCp
This is exactly what you want from your players, especially offensive linemen. The guys in the trenches have to be gritty and willing to do the dirty work. Hudson has been a Vol for less than 24 hours, and he’s already becoming a fan favorite, with the gritty mindset. I love it.
Q'Mari Hudson is a great addition to Heupel's 2027 class
The DMV area has always been a region Tennessee has recruited well, and it’s nice to see the Vols dip back into that area and land a talented player with several big-time offers. Hudson will probably project as an interior offensive lineman because of his 6-foot-4, 330-pound frame, but he could also play tackle if he has the athleticism to handle SEC edge rushers.
The tape doesn’t lie, and what I really like about Hudson is his willingness to get nasty in the run game. He plays low and isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty. He definitely seems like the type of player that brings a physical, no-excuses mentality, and Josh Heupel has to love that.
Now with Hudson in the fold, the Vols have a nice offensive line haul so far with him and Princeton Uwaifo. Landing one or two more big-time players along the line would be a great finish, especially after Tennessee’s class last year that included five-star Gabriel Osenda. I really like the future of Tennessee's line.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from all of this? Josh Heupel turned two big weekends into real momentum for Tennessee. The Vols had been a step behind some of the other top programs when it came to recruiting, but Tennessee now has six four-star commits in the class. With plenty of time still remaining in the cycle, Heupel could make a significant push and finish with a strong late surge.
Next weekend is another big-time weekend with 12 players making their way to Knoxville, including eight 247Sports Composite four-stars. The plan is simple: have another strong weekend, land a few more commits, and Tennessee will be sitting in a great spot heading into July.
Heupel has taken a somewhat slow start and turned it into a strong finish. If he keeps building things brick by brick, the 2027 class could end up being one to remember.
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