The Tennessee Volunteers kept their recruiting roll going with three new commitments, headlined by four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse, one of the top defenders in the 2026 class.
The Volunteers now have 20 commits in the Class of 2026, including two five-star recruits and four four-stars, giving them the No. 13 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. Tennessee is currently one spot above the Texas Longhorns and right behind the Florida State Seminoles.
Brayden Rouse
Hailing from Marietta, Georgia, Rouse is a four-star linebacker and the No. 4 linebacker in the Class of 2026, according to 247Sports. Although listed as a linebacker, Rouse also has experience playing tight end, edge rusher, safety, and wide receiver.
Not surprisingly, Rouse is a multi-sport athlete. In addition to football, he plays basketball and competes in track and field.
As a junior, Rouse notched 111 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss, three and a half sacks, and one interception. On offense, he totaled 382 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on just 26 receptions.
Rouse is a key addition for a Tennessee unit that hasn’t seen consistent production from their linebacker unit in recent years. The last time the Volunteers had a linebacker with more than 80 tackles was in 2021, the same season Josh Heupel became head coach.
Rouse has the potential to make an immediate impact in 2026. His athleticism should allow him to contribute at multiple positions. He may not start as a freshman, but he is likely to earn reps on defense and special teams.
Javonte Smith
Javonte Smith, a three-star cornerback from Jackson, Tennessee, is also a multi-sport athlete who plays basketball and baseball. In addition to his role as a defensive back, he played wide receiver and returned kicks.
As a junior, Smith recorded 21 tackles and four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. On offense, he posted more than 1,000 total yards, including 884 receiving and 118 rushing. He scored eight receiving touchdowns, one rushing, and one on a kick return.
Smith joins Zay Anderson and Jamyan Theodore as the third cornerback commit in Tennessee’s 2026 class. While he may not be a top-ranked prospect, Smith provides valuable depth to a Vols secondary likely to lose All-American cornerback Jermod McCoy to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jowell Combay
Jowell Combay is a three-star safety and the No. 46 player at his position in the Class of 2026 according to 247Sports. He is also from Marietta, Georgia, and plays alongside Rouse at Carlton J. Kell High School.
Bringing in high school teammates has been a trend for Tennessee this cycle. Four-star linebacker TJ White and defensive tackle Dereon Albert both play at Jackson Academy in Mississippi, while five-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda and three-star cornerback Jamyan Theodore are teammates at the Baylor School in Chattanooga.
Despite being a three-star prospect, Combay shows strong versatility as a safety. He excels in coverage and has a nose for the football, but his best trait may be his tackling — a strength that stands out on film.
Combay is a key commitment for Tennessee, especially considering the Vols’ lack of depth at safety. Since the 2024 season, Tennessee has lost five safeties — four via the transfer portal — giving Combay a chance to compete for meaningful snaps early in his college career.
