‘I’m always trying to win’ – The Tennessee Vols have identified their next big QB target, and it sounds like he could make a decision soon
Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers have reportedly identified their next big quarterback target. And it sounds like a decision could be coming in the not-too-distant future.
Earlier this offseason, the Tennessee Vols locked down their top quarterback target in the 2027 recruiting class when they landed a commitment from three-star quarterback Derrick Baker.
And it sounds like Josh Heupel and his staff have already identified their top quarterback target in the 2028 recruiting class, and he could be making a decision in the not-too-distant future.
VolQuest’s Austin Price said Tuesday morning on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will that 2028 four-star quarterback Kaden Craft “feels like Tennessee’s guy”.
Craft, 6-foot-4/210 pounds from Mooresville, NC, is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 8 quarterback in the nation and the No. 4 player in the state of North Carolina.
“Kaden [Craft], a quarterback in the 2028 class, that feels like Tennessee’s guy,” said Price. “And it feels like Tennessee’s got a ton of momentum with him. He was in town Saturday for the big orange barbecue, and then camp on Sunday. So it feels like Tennessee’s got a ton of momentum there. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does something over the next few weeks.”
Kaden Craft describes himself as a player who “is always trying to win”
Craft will be a junior in high school this fall, so he still has plenty of developing to do before he gets to college.
The North Carolina native, though, certainly has the intangibles that SEC coaches look for in a quarterback.
Craft told 247Sports last month that he’s a competitor who is always trying to win.
“I would say a game manager,” said Craft to 247Sports when describing his game. “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.”
Craft also says that his ability to process quickly is one of his big strengths (which is undoubtedly a trait that Heupel loves).
If Craft lands with the Volunteers, he’d be the fourth quarterback from North Carolina to play for Heupel at Tennessee, joining Hendon Hooker, Navy Shuler, and Faizon Brandon.