New report suggests that the Tennessee Vols are about to receive some bad news on a player they badly wanted to land
Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers have done a great job on the recruiting trail in recent years, but no program wins every recruiting battle. And the Vols look like they’re going to be on the wrong side of a key battle.
Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols have done a great job on the recruiting trail over the last several years.
But no program can win every recruiting battle.
And it looks like the Volunteers are poised to lose a key battle that the program really wanted to win.
Tennessee trending to lose a Vol legacy to Alabama
One of Tennessee’s top 2027 recruiting targets is 2027 four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II, the son of former Vols linebacker Kevin Simon.
Simon, 6-foot-2/210 pounds from Brentwood, TN, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 7 linebacker in the nation and the No. 6 player in the state of Tennessee. Simon is also rated as the No. 133 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.
The Vol legacy is planning to announce his commitment on May 11, and the current feeling is that Alabama is trending to be the pick.
On3’s Chad Simmons reported this week that Alabama “has the edge” with Simon’s announcement just days away.
“Kenneth Simon II is set to announce on May 11, and this has long been a battle between Alabama and Tennessee,” wrote Simmons. “Georgia and Ole Miss remain involved, but the Crimson Tide hold the momentum late. Simon’s most recent visit came in Tuscaloosa, and the fit in the defensive scheme continues to stand out. Alabama has the edge at the right time.”
Kenneth Simon II
2027 four-star linebacker from Brentwood, TN
- 6’2″/210 pounds
- No. 7 linebacker in the 2027 class
- No. 6 player in Tennessee in 2027 class
- No. 133 overall player in the 2027 class
- Previously played at Bearden in Knoxville
Simmons isn’t the only recruiting analyst who feels like Alabama is trending for Simon.
Bama Online’s Andrew Bone placed a prediction last week for Alabama to land the four-star linebacker.
“I have dropped an RPM (official prediction) for Simon to join the Crimson Tide’s class,” wrote Bone. “The wait is on as to when Simon will announce his commitment, but Alabama appears to be in a strong position as of now.”
Maybe Tennessee can pull off a Hail Mary with Simon, but it sounds like the Vol legacy will be suiting up for one of Tennessee’s biggest rivals this fall.