Earlier this month, On3’s Chad Simmons reported that the Tennessee Vols are “fading” in the recruiting battle for 2027 four-star safety Ta’Shawn Poole after previously being viewed as the favorites.

“This recruitment for four-star safety Ta’Shawn Poole is down to Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee,” reported Simmons. “… Tennessee was the early favorite, but the Vols have faded. The Seminoles and Bulldogs are battling late, with a source close to this feeling like Kirby Smart‘s program has the edge.”

Poole, 6-foot-2/185 pounds from Macon, GA, is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 5 safety in the nation and the No. 68 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.

The Georgia native is set to announce his commitment on July 17 at 6:00 pm ET.

Florida State is expected to be the pick for Poole, but the Vols are reportedly not giving up — regardless of which team he chooses on July 17.

“The Vols are likely to stay involved with him this season regardless of what he announces this week,” noted GoVols247 insider Ryan Callahan.

247Sports’ Tom Loy echoed those sentiments, suggesting that whichever hat Poole puts on his head on July 17 will simply represent which school is currently leading for him.

“Candidly, I believe Friday’s commitment is essentially him announcing his current leader, the team that is far and away the most likely landing spot,” wrote Loy. “That said, it is a long way to December’s Early Signing Period. If this recruitment sees more twists and turns in the coming months, I won’t be shocked. I don’t expect Georgia or Tennessee to go away easily. I genuinely believe we are far from the finish line when it comes to Poole’s final decision.”

This will be a recruitment to keep an eye on throughout the season. If Poole comes to Knoxville for a game this fall, it could easily flip the momentum back in Tennessee’s favor.