It was a big two-fer Tuesday for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols.
Heupel secured the commitments of a pair of four-star teammates within an hour’s time. 2026 Jackson, Mississippi (Jackson Academy) four-star DL Dereon Albert pulled the trigger for UT, picking the Big Orange over Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
BREAKING: Four-Star DL Dereon Albert has Committed to Tennessee, he tells me for @rivals
The 6’2 290 DL from Jackson, MS chose the Vols over UNC, Mississippi State, & Arkansas
“AGTG
See it …..Touch it….Obtain it”https://t.co/QaHZFenn3a pic.twitter.com/ynG7TrQh4Z— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 1, 2025
But that wouldn’t be all, not nearly, as his teammate and 2026 four-star LB TJ White also picked Tennessee over Florida State, Auburn, and Mississippi State.
BREAKING: Four-Star LB TJ White has Committed to Tennessee, he tells me for @rivals
The 6’2 230 LB from Jackson, MS chose the Vols over Auburn, FSU, & Mississippi State
He’s ranked as a Top 5 LB in 2026
“Why not the Vols? ”https://t.co/5tvTsMlVrA pic.twitter.com/8XUZoJyAV1
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 1, 2025
White is actually the higher rated player of the two. He checks in as the #80 overall player in On3 Sports’ 2026 industry ratings, as well as the #5 linebacker and #5 player in the state of Mississippi.
Albert is also an industry four-star as the #347 overall player, #34 defensive lineman, and #13 player in Mississippi. Beyond his finalists, he held offers from LSU, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Baylor, Auburn, Nebraska, Missouri, and Mississippi State.
The duo’s pledge gives Tennessee four four-star commitments since June 27, which is quite the accomplishment. Tennessee’s 2026 class now holds 16 commitments and sits as the #12 overall class in the On3 Sports/Rivals rankings.
We’ll see if Heupel can keep the momentum going through the summer certain as elite targets, i.e., Tristen Keys, Savion Hiter, and others, continue to mull their college decisions.