Fireworks on the Fourth: Vols Nab D-Lineman

Image: Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

The fireworks for Tennessee recruiting didn’t wait for nightfall. They lit up early with another addition to the 2026 class–this time in the trenches. 

Josh Heupel and Co. celebrated the Fourth of July with a commitment from Peach state standout defensive lineman Darryl Rivers. 

Rivers, a 6-foot-4.5, 270-pound unit out of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, chose the Volunteers over programs like Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, and Rutgers. He committed to UT shortly after wrapping up his official visit to Knoxville, which took place June 20-22. 

That visit proved pivotal as Rivers connected with defensive line coach Rodney Garner and got a clear vision of how the Vols would utilize him on the field. “They want me because I can pretty much play anything,” Rivers told VolQuest. “I can move inside on 3rd down and everything. I can play end of tackle or even drop. I fit in because they play a 4-2-5.”

Ranked as the No. 630 overall prospect and a top-70 player in the state of Georgia, Rivers becomes the second defensive line commit in Tennessee’s 2026 class and the eight overall commitment in the past week for Josh Heupel.