2027 five-star EDGE DJ Jacobs, an Ohio State commit, was in Neyland Stadium last Saturday for Tennessee’s 20-17 loss to Texas.

Technically, Jacobs was tagging along on his young brother’s visit (2028 four-star defensive lineman Dawson Jacobs).

The Vols, though, are working hard to flip Jacobs from the Buckeyes, so even though this was framed as a visit for Dawson, it was absolutely a chance for Tennessee to recruit DJ as well.

And that’s exactly what Josh Heupel and his staff did.

Vols insider shares latest on Tennessee’s pursuit of DJ Jacobs

VolQuest’s Austin Price joined 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will on Tuesday and he was asked about the Volunteers’ pursuit of Jacobs.

Price noted that Jacobs liked what he saw from Tennessee’s defense against Texas (six sacks and 10 tackles for loss).

“I think they (Tennessee) helped themselves out a lot,” said Price when asked about Jacobs’ visit to Tennessee. “I think that things continue to trend well there as we sit here in late September.

“And the more you can get him back to campus — if you can get him back for the LSU game like they (Jacobs and Tennessee) talked about over the weekend, and obviously that’s later in the year — I think that probably helps. I know him watching the defense play the way they played is something that was appealing to him.”

It sounds like the Vols are very much a threat to flip Jacobs, but you never know how these recruiting battles will actually play out. One phone call can change everything.

Tennessee, though, is in the fight. And they have a real chance thanks mostly to the relationship between defensive line coach Rodney Garner and Jacobs’ father (Jacobs’ father played for Garner at Georgia).