Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class picked up a big piece on Monday, and they landed him right from underneath the noses of one of their biggest rivals.
Per On3 Sports, Josh Heupel obtained the commitment of 4-star athlete Joel Wyatt.
BREAKING 4-star ATH Joel Wyatt has committed to Tennessee
Wyatt ranks No. 58 NATL. (No. 4 ATH) in the 2026 class
Read: https://t.co/YUSzqJyCxy pic.twitter.com/XUAymuTh9V
— Rivals (@Rivals) July 28, 2025
Wyatt is ranked as the #58 overall player, #4 athlete, and #2 player in the state of Tennessee by Rivals/On3. He committed to the Vols over Vanderbilt, who had been the prime opposition for the Vols for his services. LSU, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and others had also been in the mix for Wyatt.
Wyatt was the highest remaining uncommitted player in the state of Tennessee as the #2 overall player. The Vols now hold the pledges of four of the top six players in the state. In addition to Wyatt, WR Tyreek King, OT Gabriel Osenda, and Edge Zach Groves are all committed to the Big Orange.
Tennessee’s 2026 class now sits at 22 commitments, with 1 five star, 11 four stars, and 3 three stars, per Rivals/On3. Wyatt becomes the Vols’ second highest rated recruit with the recruiting conglomerate, behind only QB Faizon Brandon.