Josh Heupel secures huge win over Bill Belichick in a memorable day for the Tennessee Vols
The Tennessee Vols are cooking on the recruiting trail, and Josh Heupel doesn't show signs of slowing down anytime soon. That especially is the case after Tuesday, as Heupel landed the pledge of two key recruits on the defensive side of the ball. Four-star Jackson, MS (Jackson Academy) DL Dereon "Bear" Albert committed to the Vols […]
The Tennessee Vols are cooking on the recruiting trail, and Josh Heupel doesn't show signs of slowing down anytime soon. That especially is the case after Tuesday, as Heupel landed the pledge of two key recruits on the defensive side of the ball.
Four-star Jackson, MS (Jackson Academy) DL Dereon "Bear" Albert committed to the Vols over Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Albert held offers from LSU, Auburn, Texas A&M, Baylor, North Carolina, Arkansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Mississippi State, among others. He checks in as the #34 overall defensive lineman and #13 player in the state of Mississippi in On3 Sports' industry composite rankings.
However, that wouldn't be the only four-star Jackson Academy pickup for Heupel on the day. He landed the commitment from LB TJ White right around the same time As Albert on Tuesday afternoon.
The 6'1", 225-pound White picked Tennessee over Florida State and nearby Mississippi State. He also held a slew of offers that included Florida, Ole Miss, North Carolina, Auburn, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri, Baylor, Louisville, and Georgia Tech. He's ranked as the industry 80th overall player nationally, #5 linebacker, and #5 overall player in the state of Mississippi for 2026 by On3 Sports.
Heupel and Tim Banks have done a great job stacking the Vols' defensive front with solid talent, as evidenced by the Vols' deep and skillful two deep on their defensive line rotation in 2024. With some of that talent off to the NFL, Albert should have at least a puncher's chance to earn some early playing time in 2025. Veterans Jeremiah Telander and Arion Carter appear set to man the middle and will linebacker positions, respectively, but White has the talent to force himself into playing time sooner than later.
Albert and White are the Vols' third and fourth four-star commits inside the last five days and their seventh commitment overall during that span. While summer is often a dead period in collegiate sports, Heupel and his staff are making Tennessee football worth keeping an eye on as the start of fall camp approaches.
Josh Heupel lands commitment from under-the-radar recruit in his own backyard whose skills in another sport could be huge for the Tennessee Vols
The Vols added a three-sport star to their 2026 class over the weekend
