The Miami Hurricanes are trying to wreck a positive development that some felt like the Tennessee Vols already had locked in.

2027 four-star safety Jarrell Chandler, 6-foot-3/210 pounds from Knoxville, TN, has been trending to Tennessee ahead of his scheduled commitment on May 18.

Chandler is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 24 safety in the nation and the No. 11 player in the state of Tennessee.

The four-star recruit mentioned earlier this offseason that he’s a fan of the new defensive coaching staff at Tennessee.

“The new [defensive] staff on defense is legit, they are the hometown team, and I have good relationships with the staff at Tennessee,” said Chandler to On3.

Miami has made it a “real battle” for Jarrell Chandler

According to On3’s Chad Simmons, Miami “isn’t backing off” in the battle for Chandler.

“Tennessee has been in the driver’s seat for much of the process. That said, Miami isn’t backing off,” wrote Simmons on Thursday. “The Hurricanes were back in to see Chandler this week and continue to push hard down the stretch. The Vols maintain a slight edge heading into the final days, but Miami has made this a real battle late.”

Chandler is scheduled to take official visits after he announces his commitment, so that’s probably a good sign for the Vols.

But recruiting is more transactional than ever, so it can’t be ruled out that Chandler could commit to Miami on May 18.

Vanderbilt and Clemson are also in the mix for Chandler, but it’s Miami that looms as the biggest threat to Tennessee.

We’ll see on May 18 if Miami can pull off the surprise and swipe Chandler out of Tennessee’s backyard.