Tennessee Vols expected to land key quarterback before the start of the 2026 college football season
Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols are expected to make a big-time addition before the 2026 season gets underway.
The expectation is that Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols will land a big-time quarterback commit next week.
According to Rivals.com’s Hunter Shelton, 2028 four-star quarterback Kaden Craft will announce his commitment on August 17 on the Rivals YouTube channel.
Craft, 6-foot-4/210 pounds from Mooresville, NC, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 8 quarterback in the nation and the No. 4 player in the state of North Carolina.
Florida, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Tennessee are the six finalists for Craft.
Earlier this month, On3 recruiting insiders Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons predicted that Tennessee will be the pick for Craft.
“Four-star Kaden Craft has become one of Tennessee’s top priorities, and the Volunteers have built plenty of momentum throughout the summer,” noted Simmons. “The Vols landed Faizon Brandon out of North Carolina in 2026, and the Vols are trending up for 2028 four-star Kaden Craft of Lake Norman in Mooresville.”
Craft described himself earlier this year as a game-manager who is “always trying to win.”
“I would say a game manager,” said Craft to 247Sports in May. “But also, being able to break the pocket and do stuff with your feet on the run and then through the air, mostly. If nothing’s there through the air, I’m able to take it down and run and get some extra yards. I’m a competitor. Never trying to lose. It doesn’t matter what I do. I’m always trying to win.”
If Craft lands with Tennessee as expected, he’ll be the fourth quarterback from North Carolina to play for Josh Heupel, joining Hendon Hooker, Navy Shuler, and Faizon Brandon.
