Tennessee suffers recruiting blow as elite DL walks away from Josh Heupel

We had a feeling this was coming, but it's still a pretty disappointing blow for the Tennessee football team. Since last October, 4-star defensive lineman Tyson Bacon had been committed to the Vols. When he announced his decision, it was a major get for the program.

There's no question that Josh Heupel was fired up about his potential with the team moving forward. However, it looks like the elite prospect won't be Knoxville-bound after all. On Wednesday night, Bacon announced that he has officially decommitted from Tennessee and his recruitment is now fully wide open:

4-star DL Tyson Bacon has decommitted from Tennessee football

Since he originally shut down his recruitment in the fall, Bacon saw his recruitment explode. New offers came in from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, USC, Michigan, Miami and others. Not only that, but Bacon has locked in several official visits for later this year.

He's planning to visit Washington, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. His OV with the Vols is scheduled for June 20, but following the news that he has backed off his pledge, it's unknown at this time if that trip is still going to take place.

Bacon holds 24 offers to his name. He's ranked four stars, the No. 34 DL in the country and the No. 297 prospect nationally per the 247Sports Composite. Losing him is indeed a blow for Heupel and his coaching staff, but you've got to figure Tennessee has other recruits high on their board they'll be reaching out to now.

Heupel has also been busy recruiting defensive linemen in the transfer portal, with some upcoming visits on the way. As for Bacon, he has a busy spring taking officials to meet with other programs. Again, it's up in the air if he'll make a return trip to Knoxville or not, but the chances of him committing to UT again aren't too promising - it's not often a recruit backs off his commitment and then gives that same staff a verbal down the road.