Big Orange Report December 11, 2025

 


Reloading or Rebuilding

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel and his staff just landed the highest rated class of signees since he arrived in Knoxville. The new crop of Volunteers has been slotted anywhere from fifth to ninth in the top ten rankings across the board from the four major services that follow recruiting each year. Now Tennessee fans will discuss whether this is a reload or rebuilding class after the Vols limped through the 2025 regular season, finishing with an 8-4 record with just a 4-4 mark in the Southeastern Conference. A UT team that earned a spot in the football playoff bracket a year ago has dropped completely out of the top 25 final rankings this season.
Now Tennessee fans will be watching a couple of things as bowl season gets underway but with one eye on Heupel's decisions about staff and also the crucial additions that UT desperately needs from the transfer portal when the window opens. There is little question that two coaches, Kelsey Pope and Rodney Garner, deserve accolades and thanks for the work they did during this year's talent roundup. Heupel's sincere, laid-back style also drew praise from many of the new Volunteers during interviews after they signed with the Big Orange. It might also be worth noting here that there is more work to be done as it appears the SEC will raise the scholarship limits for teams in the league to 105.
The 2026 class features several high-profile signees and Garner and friends secured no less than 10 defensive linemen/edge rushers is an effort to improve the defensive front. Coach Pope reeled in three of the nation's top 10 rated receivers to bolster the pass catching corps moving forward. Five star quarterback recruit Faizon Brandon (6-4, 195) from Greensboro, North Carolina, was instrumental in assisting in securing the signatures of No. 2 ranked wide receiver Tristen (6-3, 190) from Hattiesburg, Miss., and No. 7 wideout Tyreek King (5-11, 175) from Knoxville Catholic.
Garner, known across the south as a prime-time recruiter, had, perhaps, his best roundup to date during his time at UT. Jordan Carter (6-3, 250) from Douglasville, Georgia, was ranked as the No. 8 player in the nation at his position on the edge of the defensive front. Two other flank defenders/pass rushers, Hezekiah Harris (6-5, 220) from Jemison, Alabama and Zach Groves (6-4, 225) from Cross Plains, Tennessee, are both four star rated defenders with some twitch and speed.
A high-profile pair of outside linebackers/pass rushers also inked with the Big Orange. T.J. White (6-2, 225) hails from Jackson, Miss., and was slotted as the No. 9 OLB in the nation by ESPN. Right behind him at No. 10 is Brayden Rouse (6-3, 215) from prep powerhouse Kell H.S. in Marietta, Georgia.
The staff added three offensive linemen in this signing class. Gabriel Osenda (6-7.5, 330) is a five-star ranked blocker by 247.com and ESPN. He played this season for the Baylor School in Chattanooga. Kamari Blair (6-6, 285) got a four star rating from all services. He heads to Knoxville from Clarksville's Kirkwood H.S. Edward Baker (6-4, 320) projects to be a guard in college. He played his prep career at the St. Francis Academy in Baltimore.
Music City Bowl Bound
The Big Orange will make the short trip to Nashville for a chance to pick up win No. 9 on the season. Tennessee will square off against Illinois on Dec. 30 with an afternoon kickoff slated for 4:30 CST with ESPN handling the broadcast. The Fighting Illini also finished the regular season with an 8-4 record.
Tickets should be on sale immediately for this Music City contest and frankly, this was probably the best destination for the Vols following a somewhat disappointing regular season. That ninth win is important, believe it or not. 

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