Tennessee Vols defender offers a reason why Josh Heupel is excelling on the recruiting trail in a specific area
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel's office is located inside the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville. However, with the way he's run through North Carolina on the recruiting trail lately, you'd think he's set up shop inside the Tarheel State this year. Heupel has been on an absolute tear in North Carolina lately. #1 overall recruit […]
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel's office is located inside the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville. However, with the way he's run through North Carolina on the recruiting trail lately, you'd think he's set up shop inside the Tarheel State this year.
Heupel has been on an absolute tear in North Carolina lately. #1 overall recruit for the 2026 class Faizon Brandon from Greensboro committed to the Vols last month. Five-star OT David Sanders, Jr. from Charlotte did as well.
So how is Heupel doing so well there? According to Vols defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs on Tuesday during his press conference, it really is as simple as proximity – in addition to a desire to play in the SEC.
"I mean, it was a big role for me, a big factor for me," Hobbs said regarding the proximity between North Carolina and Knoxville. "We just want to play for the SEC, and that's the best one around. So, that's where I choose to go, and that's where my guy Dave and all them chose to go, too. So, a little connection there."
Hobbs would know about being a top player in North Carolina, as he was the #1 player in the state back in the class of 2023. The talented defensive end from Concord, NC (5-star by On3 Sports) committed to the Vols over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, North Carolina, and a slew of other suitors.
Tennessee has certainly always managed to pull talent from North Carolina, which is logical given the proximity. However, being able to go in and secure the pledges from the top player in North Carolina for three of the four cycles (2023, 2025, 2026) speaks volumes to the job that Heupel is doing selling UT there, particularly in the Charlotte area.
North Carolina will never be short on talent. As such, it appears as though the Vols' head man has done serious work to build a pipeline for the state's best talent from the Tarheel State to Knoxville, Tennessee.
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