Now that the 2025 regular season is over, much of the focus for the Tennessee Vols will shift to roster management.

First up for the Vols is the early signing period, which is set to begin on December 3.

Tennessee currently has 23 players committed to its 2026 recruiting class, which is ranked No. 8 in the nation.

The Volunteers are hoping to make a couple of late additions to their 2026 recruiting class this week (which could boost their 2026 class ranking).

One player that Tennessee is working hard to land is 2026 four-star edge rusher Jordan Carter, a former Texas A&M commit.

Carter, 6-foot-3/245 lbs from Douglasville, GA, is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 23 edge rusher in the nation and the No. 22 player in the state of Georgia.

Tennessee is one of the “clear leaders” for four-star edge rusher Jordan Carter

ESPN’s Eli Lederman said on Monday that Tennessee and Georgia Tech are “clear leaders” in the battle for Carter.

“As things stand, ESPN sources see the Vols and Yellow Jackets as clear leaders in Carter’s process,” wrote Lederman. “Auburn, which hosted Carter for the Iron Bowl over the weekend, lingers as a late contender.”

Carter took an official visit to Tennessee last month for the Vols’ homecoming win over New Mexico State. He was also in Neyland Stadium last month for Tennessee’s “dark mode” game against Oklahoma (Carter took official visits over the final two weeks of the regular season to Georgia Tech and Auburn).

On3’s Chad Simmons reported on Sunday that “sources indicate there’s optimism in Knoxville that the Vols can sway Carter away from the Peach State.”

Carter is expected to announce his decision on Wednesday (the first day of the early signing period).

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