Tennessee had a big weekend and the Vols are expected to keep that momentum on the recruiting trail

It was another very good weekend for Tennessee . Josh Heupel and the Vols landed a commitment from four-star safety Lagonza Hayward and flipped four-star tight end DaSaahn Brame from Oregon.

Good weekends are getting to be a habit for the SEC program in Knoxville. Earlier this month, Tennessee landed commitments from Top 100 wide receiver Travis Smith on Saturday, July 13 and four-star linebacker Christian Gass on Saturday, July 20.

There is another major target for the Vols committing this coming week Saturday and that is 2026 five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon . On Aug. 3, he will announce his commitment between Alabama, LSU and Tennessee. NC State is a local school trying to hang around, but Brandon is expected to commit to an SEC school. And the buzz remains around Tennessee. Alabama is the biggest competition, but the Vols continue to be in a good spot as Brandon closes in on a decision.

Other top 2025 prospects are closing in on decisions and Tennesse is expected to get some good news.

3-star DL Darrion Smith

Darrion Smith was back in Knoxville over the weekend and not long after heading back home, he announced his commitment date for July 30. Ohio State is Tennessee’s competition, but coming off the recent visit, the buzz around the Vols has picked up. Smith has visited Tennessee a couple of times, has connected with the staff, and sees a fit in the scheme if he decides to commit to Tennessee.

4-star IOL Juan Gaston

This one still has some uncertainty about it, but Juan Gaston is set to announce his commitment on Friday, Aug. 2, at 7pm ET. Georgia, Oregon and Tennessee are the main players. South Carolina is on his list too. Gaston is Tennessee commit Travis Smith’s teammate at Atlanta Westlake. The Vols are, and have been in the thick of this one. Georgia may have the most confidence about its chances, but no school has been told by the Gaston family of the decision. Oregon was his dream school growing up and there is still engagement with each school on his list.

4-star CB Onis Konanbanny

Onis Konabanny named Florida State and Tennessee as his final two schools on Sunday and this one sets up nicely for the Vols. He was back in Knoxville over the weekend and he has built some strong relationships with the staff. There is no decision date set yet, but Konabanny is not expected to go into his senior season uncommitted. Tennessee is in a good spot with a decision likely not too far off.

Five-Star Plus+ OT David Sanders, Jr.

This is the one Tennessee fans have circled. David Sanders, Jr. was back in Knoxville over the weekend and he will announce his commitment on Aug. 17. Before getting to Tennessee, he was at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are trying hard to become a factor late, and they are being considered, but Ohio State still looks to be Tennessee’s biggest competition. It is those three schools in the mix. Georgia has not really been a factor for some time. Tennessee has been as consistent as any school in play for Sanders. His relationships are real with those in Knoxville and other recruits that will play at Tennessee and there is a good feeling by those connected to the program about the Vol’s chances next month.

More quick hits on Tennessee recruiting

• Jadon Perlotte is still committed to Georgia. He was at USC over the weekend, but Tennessee is still involved. It is unknown at this time where Perlotte will end up. Tennessee was trending before he went out west.
• Josh Petty spent time at Georgia Tech and Florida State over the weekend. Ohio State and Tennessee are involved too. The Vols don’t have the same buzz as the others, but they remain in communication. Petty is set to commit on Aug. 11.
• Buzz around 2026 tight end Carson Sneed picked up over the weekend. Tennessee has always been a school high on his list, but the Vols may have created some separation at the top as he enters his junior season. He trimmed his list to five schools earlier this summer and could make an early decision.

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