Coming off a deflating loss to Vanderbilt to end the regular season, the Tennessee football program was in need of some positive news. The Vols received a boost last week during the start of the early signing period.
Tennessee was able to shift some momentum in its favor by flipping some high-profile recruits from other programs, including four-star athlete Legend Bey (Ohio State) and four-star defensive linemen JJ Finch (Alabama) and Carter Gooden (UCLA).
The Vols finished the opening day of the early signing period ranked No. 7 in the recruiting rankings by Rivals and 247Sports Composite, the highest-ranked in head coach Josh Heupel’s tenure at UT.
Tennessee signed 28 players Wednesday, with 19 defensive players, eight offensive players and one specialist. The class included three five-star recruits in quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver Tristen Keys and offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda.
The defensive recruits will be playing for a new coordinator, with Heupel dismissing defensive coordinator Tim Banks Monday, just one year after Banks was a Broyles Award finalist and signed a contract extension.
As the Vols prepare for the Music City Bowl Dec. 30 against Illinois at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium (4:30 p.m. CST), the UT coaching staff will remain in recruiting mode to complete the 2026 roster with additions from the transfer portal, which opens Jan. 2.
“It’s different this cycle, just the timing of the portal. In general, I think it’s a positive,” Heupel says. “For us, we’ll look at what we’ve signed into this class, what we have coming back and then attack the portal and how we continue to grow our roster to be ready to go compete and win a championship.”
Brandon leads class
Brandon, the No. 2 overall recruit in 247’s rankings, plays for Grimsley High in Greensboro, North Carolina, which is the same hometown as former UT quarterback Hendon Hooker.
“He’s played at an elite level for a long time,” Heupel says. “His body continued to develop. He’s got a great mind. He’s extremely quick-minded. You combine all those factors, really excited about having him in the quarterback room and competing next fall.
“Any time you’re able to get a quarterback that’s at that level and is made of the right things, he’s able to develop relationships with guys and help attract them. He certainly did that in this recruiting class, really on both sides of the football.”
Bey originally committed to UT before flipping to Ohio State last month. He flipped back to the Vols on the early signing day, which coincided with Ohio State offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Brian Hartline becoming the head coach at USF.
Multiple news outlets have reported that Bey is seeking a release from Tennessee and, once again, wants to play for Ohio State.
“Legend, on the video, he is dynamic. Special playmaker (with the) ball in his hands. Got a chance to watch him live and in person, too,” Heupel says. “He is such a unique tool. His skill set of him playing quarterback, the command, the presence that he has back there. Throws the ball really extremely well in person. As a playmaker, man, the ability to be involved out in space, perimeter screen, the ability to go up and high point balls. He’s extremely loose. He’s a guy that can be used in the return game as well.”
UT’s class has an international flavor with three signed recruits from Canada in Osenda, Gooden and defensive back Jamyan Theodore. Osenda and Theodore play high school football at Baylor School in Chattanooga. Gooden plays for Tabor Academy in Massachusetts.
“You’re seeing more and more guys come down from Canada, typically to private schools, who are chasing their dreams of playing American football at this level,” Heupel says. “Think about the road and the journey these three guys had to be on to ultimately get to this point. There is so much sacrifice from the families and from the kid moving away from home.”
First time against Illini
Tennessee’s Music City Bowl appearance will be the fourth in program history and the first since a 48-45 overtime loss to Purdue in 2021, Heupel’s first season. The Vols (8-4, 4-4 SEC) and Illini (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) will be meeting for the first time.
“The opportunity to prepare and compete against an outstanding Big Ten opponent the caliber of Illinois is one we look forward to,” Heupel says. “Vol Nation has been unwavering in its loyalty and support of our players. It’s something we never take for granted. We are excited to go play in front of them one more time in 2025 in Nashville.”