Rocky Top Adds A Defensive Enforcer Once Again
Image: Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
Tennessee’s recruiting momentum refuses to slow down, as the Vols landed another crucial piece in their 2026 defensive class on Wednesday evening.
Less than 24 hours after landing a commitment from his teammate, Brayden Rouse, the Volunteers doubled down at Kell High School by landing a pledge from hard-hitting safety Jowell Combay, per Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound defender out of Marietta, Georgia chose UT over the likes of South Carolina, Missouri, and Wisconsin to become the 20th overall commitment in the Vols’ 2026 class, and the second out of Marietta in as many days.
Combay took his official visit to Knoxville from June 20-22, and it proved to be the turning point in his recruitment after a heated battle with South Carolina– a program Combay was very high on during the process. Tennessee’s push was just simply too strong. Led by secondary coach Willie Martinez and defensive coordinator Tim Banks, UT never took their foot off the gas.
“Just the love that they show and how consistent they’ve been,” Combay told VolQuest after the 865 Live event. “I feel like they’ve been very consistent. They show me love.”
Ranked as the No. 608 overall prospect in the country and a top-70 player in the state of Georgia, his versatility makes him a dangerous combo in the secondary with fellow safety commit KJ McClain.
