Four-star safety commits to Tennessee and makes bold statement

Tennessee football added another top-100 player to its 2025 recruiting class on Saturday, making the third straight Saturday Tennessee has received a commitment from a member of the 2025 class. It might not be football season yet, but the Vols are making the most of the Saturdays in the summer. 

Four-star safety Lagonza Hayward announced his decision to commit to Tennessee on X, announcing he's "110% committed" to Tennessee over SEC rivals Georgia and Florida.

The six-foot-one, 205-pound safety is a consensus four-star and top-ten safety in the 2025 class. He didn't wait to make a bold statement about the Vols' 2025 recruiting class after committing to the Vols. 

"When all is said and done, we will have a top-five recruiting class," Hayward said. We are going to get a couple of flips, we are going to sign some top targets, and we are all working on David Sanders, Jr. When this class is done, it will be one of the best in the nation." 

The Lyons, Georgia native is making it known that he's not the last elite playmaker to announce his commitment to the Vols. 

Hayward has joined a list of players who have committed to Tennessee since the beginning of June. The Vols now have the No. 11 recruiting class in the country and the No. 5 class in the SEC, according to On3 Recruiting. 

The weekend fun isn't over for the Vols with Hayward's commitment. Tennessee hosts four-star commits George MacIntyre and Ethan Utley, and an uncommitted five-star offensive tackle, David Sanders Jr, is set to join them. 

Sanders' commitment date is set for August 17, and he is expected to choose between Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia, and Nebraska. If the trend continues for Tennessee on the recruiting trail, Sanders will make the trip to Rocky Top and commit to the Vols a few weeks later.