Tennessee Set To Host Nation’s Top 2027 RB For Matchup Vs Oklahoma

Image: Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

Yet another consensus No. 1 running back has his eyes set on Rocky Top this fall. 

Five-star Penn State commit Kemon Spell will be visiting Tennessee the weekend of Nov. 1 for the Vols’ contest against the Sooners, per Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett. 

At 5-foot-9, 205-pounds, Spell is ranked a Rivals industry five-star player in the 2027 cycle, along with being a top ten recruit landing at No. 9 on both Rivals and 247Sports’ composite rankings. 

The McKeesport, Pennsylvania native backed up his No. 1 ranking last Friday, rushing for 293 and four touchdowns on just 13 carries (22.5 YPC), plus a 98-yard kickoff return for good measure. 

Watch the highlights from his season opener:

Impressive showing from Penn State 2027 RB commit Kemon Spell last night. The 5-star had 13 carries for 293 yards.

Spell had five total touchdowns with four on the ground. The other was a 98-yard kick return score.

He scored on his first three touches.pic.twitter.com/yQm0A9Rme3

— Lyle Alenstein (@LAlenstein) August 24, 2025

While Spell is still firmly committed to James Franklin and the Nittany Lions, that hasn’t stopped him from lining up a full slate of gameday visits this fall. He’ll be in Columbus this weekend for Ohio State’s marquee matchup against Texas, with trips to USC, Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan and Tennessee also looming. 

No kickoff time has been set for the OU game, as it remains a flex spot. The game could fall into either the afternoon timeslot (3:30-4:30 ET) or in the primetime slot (6-8 p.m ET), depending on ESPN’s selection. 

A night game in Neyland Stadium could really change the course of Spell’s recruitment – if ESPN signs off.