‘I think he’s a huge get’ – Tennessee beat out Texas for an elite recruit with game-changing talent
The Tennessee Vols put together a very solid 2026 recruiting class.
The Tennessee Vols put together a very solid 2026 recruiting class, which finished the cycle ranked as the No. 7 class in the nation.
Tennessee’s 2026 class is headlined by five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys, and five-star offensive lineman Gabe Osenda.
Another big-time recruit that Tennessee signed during the 2026 cycle is four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse, 6-foot-3/210 pounds from Marietta, GA.
Rouse is rated by 247Sports as the No. 7 linebacker in the nation and the No. 86 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class.
Tennessee beat out Texas for Brayden Rouse
On3 national recruiting analyst Chad Simmons joined The Inside Scoop this week and shared some thoughts on Tennessee’s 2026 class.
Simmons pointed out that he loved the addition of Rouse to the Vols’ signing class while noting that Tennessee had to withstand a late “surge” from Texas to hold on to the talented recruit.
“I love the get of Brayden Rouse,” said Simmons. “He’s from my home state here in Georgia, Kell High School. [He is] a versatile EDGE/linebacker that they went toe to toe, back and forth — UT versus UT. Texas versus Tennessee. Tennessee got on him way earlier than the University of Texas. Texas made a big surge late — big offer, NIL wise. He was a big target for [Texas], too. I think he’s a huge get and a huge win (for the Vols) because of his versatility and what he can bring to the table defensively at Tennessee.”
The scouting report on Rouse from 247Sports national recruiting analyst Hudson Standish describes the Georgia native as a player with “long-term NFL Draft potential”.
“Active and instinctive pursuing the football, will make plays sideline-to-sideline and evade blockers in space with ease. Exceptional coverage defender to the point where he could offer flexibility as a potential overhang on Saturdays. Will routinely make highlight snags at the catch point on both sides of the ball, and has shown serious YAC ability for a player his size. Combination of multi-sport participation, athletic tools, and growth potential make him one of the higher ceiling linebackers in the Deep South. Should be viewed as a situation- and scheme-versatile chess piece who should be able to stay on the field in all scenarios. Projects as an eventual high-major impact player with long-term NFL Draft potential.” – 247Sports’ Hudson Standish
Tennessee has a significant need at linebacker entering the offseason. While it’s likely the Vols will look to add a linebacker through the transfer portal, it wouldn’t be surprising if Rouse factors heavily into Tennessee’s linebacker plans in 2026.
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