Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers remained on a hot streak in recruiting to end the week.
Heupel secured the pledge of four-star Winston-Salem, NC OT JB Shabazz on Friday, who picked the Vols over Ohio State and South Carolina.
BREAKING: Four-Star OT JB Shabazz has Committed to Tennessee, he tells me for @rivals
The 6’7 315 OT from Winston Salem, NC chose the Vols over South Carolina & Ohio State
He’s ranked as the No. 6 OT in 2026 (per Rivals)
“POWER T, God bless”https://t.co/TZoqRLbJDt pic.twitter.com/gLBgN9iPKO
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 11, 2025
Shabazz’s ranking is an interesting one, and something you don’t see all that often. He’s the #352 overall player according to On3’s industry ratings. However, Rivals’ individual rankings have Shabazz as the #56 overall player, #6 OT, and #7 player in the state of North Carolina for the 2026 cycle.
Regardless, the interest that teams had in the very lengthy tackle speaks volumes as to what they believe of his abilities. Aside from Ohio State, Tennessee, and South Carolina, Shabazz held offers from Penn State, Georgia, Florida, Auburn, and North Carolina, among several other Power Four schools.
Shabazz becomes the 21st player in the 2026 class and the 10th four-star play to commit to Heupel. He becomes Tennessee’s second four-star offensive tackle for 2026, joining Clearwater, FL (Baylor School) OT Gabriel Osenda.