Tennessee football is on a roll on the recruiting trail, and Josh Heupel and the Vols don't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
The Vols add another commit to its quickly-growing 2026 recruiting class, largely thanks to its recruiting efforts in North Georgia.
Three-star safety Jowell Combay announced on Wednesday afternoon that he is committing to Tennessee. The Vols beat out Georgia, South Carolina, and Wisconsin for the Marietta, Georgia prospect.
Combay becomes the third recruit to commit to Tennessee from the Peach State. He is also the second commit from Marietta, following Kell High School teammate and four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse, who committed to Tennessee on Tuesday.
"Instinctive safety who plays with range in single-high looks and can rally to the football," 247 Sports analyst Hudson Standish writes. "Estimated to hover around 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, frame, and athleticism have not been verified in a third-party combine but owns track and field multi-sport highlighted by a 42-4 PR in the triple jump.
"Playmaker at the catch point on both sides of the ball who will make high-degree-of-difficulty snags at the top of the ladder. Smooth in his backpedal with the ability to quickly flip the hips and explode in any direction.
"Will bait quarterbacks into throws as a zone defender and promptly dart into passing lanes. Displays plenty of promise defending the run and first level passes, and takes proper angles on a consistent basis. Should be viewed as a Power Four caliber safety prospect who could develop into an impact starter on Saturdays."
There is one thing that consistently comes up when recruits are asked why they chose Tennessee over other Power Five schools, and it always comes back to Heupel being a player-first coach. The coaching staff's honesty and commitment throughout the recruiting process bring a lot of interest from recruits, and that's no different for Combay.
"Coach Heup is great. He always has energy, and he is always positive. He just has that personality that is fun to be around."
It's not just Heupel bringing excitement and energy to the program; it's the entire staff. That's what made the difference for Combay when he made his decision.
"What put Tennessee on top was how they kept it real from the beginning," Combay says about his decision. They have been recruiting me for a long time, and how real they are, how much I trust them, and knowing the plan the coaches have for me were big in my decision."
Tennessee has the No. 13 recruiting class with Combay's commitment. There are still a few prospects in the 2026 recruiting class that the Vols are targeting before they get ready to start the season.