Tennessee gains another 2026 commit with the addition of 2026 EDGE rusher

Culture and competition were the deciding factors in 2026 three-star EDGE rusher CJ Edwards’ decision to commit to Tennessee. The Metuchen, New Jersey, native chose Tennessee over several power four schools like Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Syracuse. 

Edwards detailed his decision to commit to Tennessee with On3 Sports, which was centered around communication, culture, and competition. 

“[Coach Rodney Garner is] always communicating, and we’re on the phone a lot,” Edwards told On3 Sports. “One of my biggest factors and where I want to go to college is their culture. If you have a desire to win are competitors then it fits that description. So he is a great person and a great coach, and it’s just something I wanted to be part of.” 

Garner played a big role in landing Edwards, who is willing to travel further from home to compete for championships. Garner iterated on This and reiterated it to Josh Heupel. 

“It’s a goal,” Edwards continued. “To go get it and not be lackadaisical and laid-back. It’s to go for it all and go win that natty. I feel like I’d want to be a part of that competitive society, we have a similar mindset you know I want to be like minded people and I feel like coach Heupel is like me and one of those people. So I want to play under him.”

Edwards will bring another explosive and powerful edge rusher to Tennessee’s roster. He is quick and plays with a high motor, giving the Vols another James Pearce-type edge rusher for the future. 

He is the eighth commit to Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class, which is anchored byfive-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. 

Tennessee now jumps inside the top ten. With Edwards' commitment, the Vols have the No. 9 recruiting class in the country and the No. 5 class in the SEC.