The perfect early Christmas present for Josh Heupel would be to secure a few more commitments in the 2027 class. He has been working his tail off to get into some exclusive recruitments.
Tennessee has been red hot on the recruiting trail, especially when it comes to getting ahead on 2027 targets. The Vols are the leader for an elite edge rusher and are working to flip a 4-star quarterback away from Illinois.
The encouraging part is that the fun doesn't end there. Some major 2027 news just dropped. Hayes Fawcett of Rivals has reported that 2027 cornerback Hayden Stepp has narrowed down to his top five teams, and the Tennessee Vols have made the cut.
NEWS: Elite 2027 CB Hayden Stepp is down to 5 Schools, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 22, 2025
The 6’3 190 CB from Las Vegas, NV is ranked as a Top 25 Recruit in the 2027 Class (per Rivals)
Where Should He Go? https://t.co/W92nPZk1TQ pic.twitter.com/q3mfF4vIHA
Tennessee makes top 5 for 2027 CB Hayden Stepp
The biggest concern is that Tennessee has to compete with Alabama, Oregon, Clemson, and Miami for Stepp's commitment. Don't get me wrong, you 100% want players who are wanted by other top programs, but Stepps' recruitment will be a tough one to win and will likely go all the way until next December.
The one thing coaches love about Stepp is his elite length for a defensive back. It's not too often that you get a 6-foot-3 cornerback who can move the way Stepp does. This might sound bold, but he is a guy who could compete for a starting spot from day one.
Stepp also plays for a powerhouse high school in Las Vegas, Bishop Gorman, so he's playing great competition every Friday night. Stepp is rated the no. 23 player and no. 3 cornerbacks in the 2027 class, according to Rivals' industry ranking. He is an Under Armour All-American and a Polynesian Bowl invite.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that losing Tim Banks hasn't hurt the relationship with Tennessee and Stepp. Hopefully, new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles can put together a phenomenal 2026 campaign and show Stepp and other recruits that Knoxville is the place to be if you want to get into the league.
What fans should really be excited about is the fact that the Vols have a chance to top the excellent 2026 class they just signed. 2027 should be very fun.