Vols Pushing For Elite Wisconsin Four-Star Running Back

Image: Amari Latimer/Instagram

By Aidan Sidoti

Tennessee still doesn’t have a running back committed in its 2026 class, but the Vols are making a strong push to change that.

Running backs coach De’Rail Sims spent part of Tennessee’s bye week in Georgia, where he was on hand to watch Wisconsin four-star commit Amari Latimer face Spalding, as first reported by Brent Hubbs of VolQuest.

The West Georgia native committed to the Badgers in late June over Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Michigan, but Tennessee was involved in Latimer’s recruitment as recently as a year ago, hosting him at the Volunteers’ Night at Neyland camp in June 2024 and again that October for their memorable win over Alabama.

While Latimer remains firmly committed to Wisconsin, the Badgers are off to a disappointing 2–3 start, and speculation about a coaching change is already swirling in Madison.

If Latimer begins to reconsider, the presence of his older brother, Geimere, on the Wisconsin roster could make this flip more complicated than most.

The Vols’ pitch should be pretty simple.

Stay closer to home, compete in the SEC, and play in one of the most explosive offensive systems in the country.

Sims’ presence in Georgia during the bye week only reinforces how invested Tennessee is in flipping Latimer and filling a major need in the 2026 cycle.

For now, Latimer remains a Badger with no visit scheduled to Knoxville. 

However, Tennessee’s pursuit is far from over, and as National Signing Day approaches, this will be one of the more important recruitments to follow.