Tennessee recruiting target and UT football legacy makes big statement about new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles
The Tennessee Vols are hoping to land 2027 five-star linebacker Cooper Witten.
2027 five-star linebacker Cooper Witten is one of the Tennessee Vols’ top recruiting targets.
Witten, 6-2, 210 pounds from Argyle, TX, is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 1 linebacker in the nation and the No. 4 player in the state of Texas. He’s also rated as the No. 21 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.
The talented linebacker is the son of former Vols tight end Jason Witten.
Cooper Witten is a fan of new Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Knowles
Several big-time programs are in the mix for Witten, including Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma.
The Sooners could be viewed as a favorite for Witten now that Oklahoma has hired his dad as the program’s new tight ends coach.
It’s unclear what kind of impact Oklahoma’s hiring of Jason Witten will have on this recruiting battle, but it should certainly be viewed as at least a small advantage for the Sooners.
One piece of good news for the Vols, though, is that the younger Witten is a fan of Tennessee hiring Jim Knowles as the program’s new defensive coordinator.
“I love the hire of Coach (Jim) Knowles,” said Witten to On3. “He just won a national championship a year ago, so I’m excited to meet him and the staff.”
According to On3, Witten will visit Tennessee on Jan. 24.
The Vols have done a good job of recruiting Witten, but it’s clear the five-star linebacker won’t commit to Tennessee just because his dad played there. It also doesn’t seem like NIL will be the driving factor in this recruiting battle.
In other words, the Vols will have to win this recruitment the old-fashioned way, by building a better relationship with Witten than any other program.
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