Tennessee reportedly feels good about their chances of landing son of former Vol, but Alabama feels good as well
The Tennessee Vols are in a battle for the son of a former Tennessee Vols linebacker.
The Tennessee Vols are hoping to win the recruiting battle for a highly-rated Vol legacy.
2027 four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II, the son of former Vols linebacker Kevin Simon, is inching closer to a decision.
Simon, 6-foot-2/190 pounds from Brentwood, TN, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 7 linebacker in the nation and the No. 6 overall player in the state of Tennessee. He’s also rated as the No. 131 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.
The four-star linebacker is scheduled to take several unofficial visits this spring, including trips to Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Ole Miss.
Alabama and Tennessee are believed to be the two schools out in front in this battle.
Tennessee feels good about its chances of landing Kenneth Simon II
247Sports recruiting insider Tom Loy noted this week that Tennessee feels good about its chances of landing Simon, but the Vols aren’t getting overconfident.
“Sources around the Vols believe they are firmly in the mix to land his commitment and keep Simon home,” wrote Loy. “Tennessee sources aren’t getting too confident yet, but they believe they are very much a top contender to get this one done. Alabama is very confident when it comes to Simon’s recruitment. The Crimson Tide fully expects him to eventually land in Tuscaloosa.”
The Volunteers hired a new defensive coordinator this offseason in Jim Knowles. The development of the relationship between Knowles and Simon will be key for Tennessee in this recruiting battle (the elder Simon said earlier this year that his son would not have played for previous Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks).
The good news for the Vols, though, is that the relationship between Knowles and Simon is off to a good start.
“Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has made a strong impression on Simon,” reported On3’s Chad Simmons in January. “The scheme fits his skill set, and the two have spent significant time together breaking things down. Linebackers coach William Inge has also played a key role, with sources noting that the family is comfortable with him. Simon and Tennessee remain high on each other’s boards as things currently stand.”
It helps that Vols linebackers coach William Inge was retained by Knowles, so it’s not like Simon has to get to know a new position coach, too.
Simon doesn’t currently have a planned commitment date. Loy, however, noted that he could be ready to make a decision after his unofficial visit tour wraps up near the end of April. Recruiting, though, is fluid, so that’s certainly subject to change.
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