Rodney Garner gets another.
Rodney Garner picked up another defensive line prospect today, giving Tennessee some fireworks on July 4th. Powder Springs, Georgia product Darryl Rivers committed to the Volunteers this afternoon, closing out a process that had been trending Tennessee’s way for some time.
Committed @CoachReid99 @McEachernFtball @McEachernRecrui @Jroc5DL @VolsOnSI @Vol_Football @coachg76 @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/4aQA0md6ti
— Darryl “Hawk” Rivers (@trezrivers) July 4, 2025
Rivers checks in at 6-5, 270 pounds. The size and length are obvious draws for the coaching staff despite a three-star ranking. Rivers ranks outside of the top 600 prospects for both 247Sports and On3. He’s the 56th ranked prospect in the state of Georgia, playing McEachern High School.
Tennessee beat out Georgia Tech, Rutgers and Mississippi State for Rivers, who also had interest from Auburn and Georgia.
Rivers fits as an interior end, showing off plenty of pop and power to go along with that length. He fits the mold of the likes of Tyre West, Daevin Hobbs or Dominic Bailey, all of which have taken big steps forward over the last couple of seasons under Garner.
Rivers is Tennessee’s 17th commitment of the 2026 cycle — the eighth of the week. Tennessee’s class moves into the top 15 overall, according to 247Sports.