Tennessee Vols are the 'team to beat' for elite in-state 4-star recruit, but a rival SEC program could play spoiler
The Tennessee Vols are viewed as "the team to beat" for an elite 2026 in-state four-star recruit, but a rival SEC program could play spoiler in this recruiting battle. 2026 four-star wide receiver Joel Wyatt is a player that Tennessee badly needs to land — especially after losing 2026 five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys to […]
The Tennessee Vols are viewed as "the team to beat" for an elite 2026 in-state four-star recruit, but a rival SEC program could play spoiler in this recruiting battle.
2026 four-star wide receiver Joel Wyatt is a player that Tennessee badly needs to land — especially after losing 2026 five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys to the LSU Tigers last week (Tennessee, though, will continue to recruit Keys).
Wyatt, 6-foot-4/192 lbs from Bell Buckle, TN, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 5 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 2 player in the state of Tennessee. He's also rated as the No. 42 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class.
Rivals.com national recruiting director Adam Gorney noted this week that Tennessee is "definitely the team to beat" for Wyatt.
Gorney, however, also pointed out that a recent trip to LSU went extremely well for the coveted wide receiver.
"Tennessee is definitely the team to beat in Wyatt’s recruitment since he’s so close to that program and the Bell Buckle (Tenn.) Webb four-star athlete has always been tagged to the Vols," wrote Gorney. "However, a recent visit to LSU definitely blew him away. Wyatt loves the coaching staff in Baton Rouge as they discussed his future position and more. It will be an uphill battle but LSU will be one to watch."
LSU has a lot to sell to wide receiver recruits thanks to the recent NFL success of former Tigers receivers like Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Malik Nabers. That's why LSU should be viewed as a legitimate threat to swipe Wyatt from the Volunteers.
But it sounds like Tennessee is doing a solid job in this recruiting battle. If the Vols stay the course, they should have a good chance to keep Wyatt away from LSU.
Tennessee Vols have a budding superstar on their roster that no one seems to be talking about
The Vols need him to be a superstar
