The Tennessee Vols are one of several teams in the mix for 2027 five-star cornerback Hayden Stepp.

Stepp is a versatile defensive back from Las Vegas that already has a college-ready frame at 6-foot-3/185 pounds.

The five-star recruit is rated by 247Sports as the No. 4 cornerback in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Nevada. Stepp is also rated as the No. 23 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.

Alabama, California, Georgia, and Oregon are also contenders for Stepp.

Hayden Stepp is still “on the fence” with Tennessee

While Tennessee is in the mix for Stepp, they have some ground to make up due to recent coaching staff changes (the Vols hired Derek Jones as their new cornerbacks coach last week).

Stepp told 247Sports this week that things with Tennessee are “kind of still on the fence”.

“That one is kind of still on the fence. I think they just got a new cornerbacks coach,” said Stepp. “I just need to get to know him as well. So, we’ll see. But the program, they were doing renovations, but I really liked the vision they have for me and what they said I could do. That was the main thing that stuck out with me. That was with coach ET (Earnest Thomas) when he was there. As a program itself, it’s a great program.”

Stepp, who visited Tennessee last fall for the Vols’ game against Oklahoma, is expected to announce his commitment later this summer.

The Vols still have some time to win this recruiting battle, but it’s clear from Stepp’s comments that new cornerbacks coach Derek Jones has some work to do.

Tennessee currently has four players committed to its 2027 recruiting class.

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