Josh Heupel has always built the Vols through promising recruiting, and as a result, he has brought in some very talented players. Recruiting has been the lifeblood of the program, and it shows. The Vols have had countless high draft picks, which demonstrates their ability to identify high school talent and develop them into NFL-caliber players.
Ranking the 3 Tennessee recruits who shattered expectations under Josh Heupel
That said, let's take a look at the best player from every recruiting class that Josh Heupel has been a part of at Tennessee.
2022: Dylan Sampson, RB
Possibly the best player of the Josh Heupel era was running back Dylan Sampson, who was a three-star recruit in Heupel's first class. In 2024, he ran for 1,491 yards and scored 22 touchdowns, winning the SEC Player of the Year award. James Pearce Jr. was a first-round pick in the 2022 class, but Sampson's college career was phenomenal, and he was a big reason the offense was able to stay afloat with Nico Iamaleava in 2024. It might feel somewhat controversial, but Sampson was the best player in the 2022 class.
2023: Arion Carter, LB
The 2023 recruiting class may be one of the weaker ones during the Heupel era for Tennessee, but Arion Carter stands out as a valuable addition. Carter is a reliable tackler and an excellent run defender for the Vols. Moreover, his contributions off the field are impressive, as he demonstrates strong leadership qualities and a high football IQ. He should integrate well into Jim Knowles' defense this fall.
2024: Braylon Staley, WR
Choosing between Staley and Mike Matthews was tough, but Staley gets the edge because he was the SEC Freshman of the Year last season. Staley posted 68 catches for 837 yards and six touchdowns, breaking out onto the scene for Tennessee. He is one of the most electrifying playmakers in the nation, with his combination of speed and yards-after-catch ability. He can make tremendous plays with the ball in his hands and posted five games of at least 90 receiving yards last season.
2025: Ty Redmond, CB
This was another tough decision between offensive tackle Davis Sanders Jr. and cornerback Ty Redmond, both of whom stepped up as true freshmen last year and made the transition to SEC football seamless. Redmond gets the edge because he led all freshmen in passes defended last year with 12, but Sanders likely has the higher ceiling and could eventually be a first-round NFL Draft pick.
What makes Redmond so special is his remarkable length and his ability to make plays on the ball. He has a tremendous ceiling ahead of him, and with him already being a third-team All-SEC selection, the possibilities are endless.
2026: Faizon Brandon, QB
Since nobody in the 2026 class has taken a snap, I'm going to take a gamble and make a prediction that Faizon Brandon becomes the top player from this class. This was the best recruiting class on paper since the heyday of recruiting, and it features three five-star players. What makes Brandon so special is that he will likely win the starting job from day one, and that’s part of why he was a top-ten recruit.
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