Vols Edge In-State Rival For Elite Four-Star
Image: Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
Tennessee football added a significant piece to its 2026 recruiting class Monday, landing a commitment from elite athlete Joel Wyatt, per Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.
Wyatt, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound star from Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, chose the Volunteers over LSU, Louisville, and in-state rival Vanderbilt– which made a big push to land Wyatt.
Ranked as the No. 2 player in the state of Tennessee and the No. 48 overall prospect nationally, his commitment represents a crucial in-state recruiting victory for head coach Josh Heupel, who has emphasized keeping top in-state talent home in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
After taking eight total visits to Knoxville before committing, Wyatt developed a strong relationship with UT’s coaching staff, particularly outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin, who played a pivotal role in his recruitment.
“Tennessee made me feel like a top guy from the beginning,” Wyatt told Rivals. “They made me feel wanted and that never changed.”
The commitment gives Josh Heupel and Co. 22 pledges in the 2026 recruiting class, headlined by five-stars Faizon Brandon and offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda.
