Tennessee is battling a former Vols assistant for the top edge rusher in the 2026 recruiting class
The Tennessee Vols are one of the early contenders for 2026 five-star edge rusher Hezekiah Harris. Harris, 6-foot-5/220 lbs from Huntsville, AL, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 edge rusher in the nation and the No. 8 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. Tennessee offered Harris way back in December 2022. According […]
The Tennessee Vols are one of the early contenders for 2026 five-star edge rusher Hezekiah Harris.
Harris, 6-foot-5/220 lbs from Huntsville, AL, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 edge rusher in the nation and the No. 8 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class.
Tennessee offered Harris way back in December 2022. According to Rivals.com, the Vols are one of the programs to watch for Harris, along with Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, and LSU.
It's Clemson, for now, that might be the favorite for Harris. And that's thanks in large part to Clemson defensive ends coach Chris Rumph, a former Vols assistant who served as Tennessee's co-defensive coordinator/outside linebackers coach from 2018 to 2019.
Harris visited Clemson this past weekend and reportedly hit it off quite well with Rumph.
"Probably was of the best visits I’ve been on," said Harris to 247Sports. "Coach Rumph coaches with so much energy and passion. Everything there is so personable and relationship driven. They’re gonna get you developed and get you to the league.”
Rumph spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL, which is something that's likely attractive to Harris.
It's still extremely early in Harris' recruitment — he won't sign anywhere for another 19 months. So the Vols still have plenty of time to win this battle. But Harris' early relationship with Rumph will require Tennessee to go all out if they're going to convince the talented edge rusher to spend his college career on Rocky Top.
