Recruiting analyst compares 2026 Tennessee Vols 4-star commit to former Alabama Crimson Tide star player
Rivals.com national recruiting director Adam Gorney suggested this week that a 2026 four-star Tennessee Vols commit reminds him of a former Alabama Crimson Tide star player. Gorney wrote recently that 2026 four-star wide receiver Tyreek King, a Vols commit since last October, reminds him of former Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. From Rivals.com: The Vols […]
Rivals.com national recruiting director Adam Gorney suggested this week that a 2026 four-star Tennessee Vols commit reminds him of a former Alabama Crimson Tide star player.
Gorney wrote recently that 2026 four-star wide receiver Tyreek King, a Vols commit since last October, reminds him of former Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
From Rivals.com: The Vols only have two receivers committed but Tyreek King continues to prove he’s one of the best receivers in this class and if things continue on that upward trajectory, (Faizon) Brandon and King could form a dynamic five-star duo in Knoxville.
King, a four-star from Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic, impressed again at a recent camp where he showed off such a high level of athleticism and dynamic ability with the ball in his hands.
Oftentimes, we fall in love with these big outside receivers but slots like King, who are so difficult to defend in the open space are killing it at all levels of football. King reminds us of Jaylen Waddle at the same stage.
King, 5-foot-11/170 lbs from Knoxville, TN, is rated by Rivals.com as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 2 player in the state of Tennessee. He's also rated as the No. 32 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class.
Waddle, who was listed as 5-foot-10/165 lbs as a high school recruit, was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 31 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class.
The former Alabama standout went on to earn SEC freshman of the year honors in 2018. Waddle was also a first-team All-SEC player in 2019 (he earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2020).
Waddle, who caught 106 passes for 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns during three seasons at Alabama, was the No. 6 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Houston native has recorded 260 receptions for 3,535 yards, and 18 touchdowns during his first four seasons in the NFL.
We'll see how King's career plays out at Tennessee — it's far too early to forecast what kind of production he'll have at the collegiate level.
But for now, this is certainly a comparison that should get Vols fans hyped for the Knoxville native's arrival at Tennessee in 2026.
