The recruiting trail is heating up.
Tennessee has added two pieces to its defensive backfield this week, earning commitments from KJ McClain and Luke Thompson. McClain committed earlier in the week, coming out of New Jersey.
BREAKING Safety KJ McClain has committed to Tennessee, @AustinPriceless reports
Read: https://t.co/I8T8uGabJH pic.twitter.com/Hk0ZFChJlU
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 11, 2025
The 5-11, 165 pound safety prospect ranks as the 602nd overall player in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports. McClain is the eighth-ranked player in the state of New Jersey. He chose Tennessee over offers from Texas A&M, West Virginia, Michigan State, Rutgers, Boston College and a handful of others.
Tennessee came back on Saturday and added another safety in Luke Thompson. The 6-0, 175 pound prospect is the tenth member of the Volunteers’ 2026 class, coming out of the midstate area. Thompson’s parents both were track and field athletes at Tennessee, while his grandfather played football.
The three-star athlete will now continue that family legacy in Knoxville.
Committed!! Go Vols @CoachTBarr @CoachAndrewsVFL @CoachJ_Adkins @Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/iAExB79ccs
— Luke Thompson (@TheDego16) June 14, 2025
Thompson is the 590th ranked prospect in the class of 2026, according to 247Sports. He’s the 17th ranked player in the state and held offers from MTSU, Air Force, Army, Arkansas State, UConn and several others.
Thompson is a standout track athlete himself, reportedly clocking in with a 4.41 in the 40 yard dash. There was talk of him playing receiver — just as his father and grandfather did before him — but the staff ultimately views him as a safety prospect.
Tennessee now holds the 27th ranked class in the early 2026 class rankings. Expect that number to change in the coming weeks as official visits continue to wrap up.