Vols Football Recruiting Bounces Back
Recruiting rarely moves in straight lines, and the last few weeks for Tennessee have proven just that. After swinging and missing on one of the nation’s top prospects, the Vols quickly rebounded with a statement win on the trail.
Tennessee’s pursuit of five-star running back Savion Hiter was one of the biggest storylines of the summer. Hiter is regarded as the top back in the 2026 class, and the Vols were in the mix until the very end. When decision day came, however, Hiter chose Michigan over Tennessee.
Heupel’s staff bounced back quickly as just days later, the Vols landed a major flip: four-star offensive tackle Kamari Blair, an in-state prospect who had only recently pledged to South Carolina.
Tennessee’s staff never backed off, continuing to recruit him even after his initial commitment to the Gamecocks. The relationships won out in the end for Blair, staying home and representing Tennessee was too much to pass up.
Blair brings plenty of upside with him. Standing at 6’6” and now up to 285 pounds, he’s a raw but athletic lineman who moves well in space and has only begun to scratch his potential. His frame and growth in the weight room suggest he could become a potential anchor at the offensive tackle position for the Vols in the future.
Blair’s commitment shows that the Vols can win recruiting battles even after initial setbacks. It reinforces the staff’s ability to lock down high-end talent within state lines, something every elite SEC program must do consistently to compete for championships.
With Blair in the fold, Tennessee continues to build a strong 2026 class around quarterback Faizon Brandon and several other blue-chip talents. They will continue to work to flip LSU commit Tristen Keys, the No. 1 WR in the country, and add another blue-chip prospect to their current recruiting class.
Titans Preseason Continues: Sneed Returns
The Titans hit the practice field again this week at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park, sharpening up before Friday night’s preseason matchup with the Vikings at Nissan Stadium.
The headline was the long-awaited return of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who was officially activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. After battling a quad injury last season and undergoing a knee clean-up in May, Sneed’s presence was a welcome sight. His workload was limited, but the Pro Bowl-level corner sounded optimistic about being ready for Week 1. Conditioning will likely need to improve, but Sneed’s confidence is apparent.
On the offensive side, rookie quarterback Cam Ward delivered perhaps his sharpest day of camp on Wednesday. Ward threw five touchdown passes across red-zone periods, finding Chig Okonkwo, Bryce Oliver, Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson, and Chimere Dike for scores. He finished 15-for-22 overall with only one real miss, a deep overthrow to Elic Ayomanor.
Ward wasn’t the only bright spot. Okonkwo opened practice with a pair of big grabs, while Oliver made the catch of the day by elevating over a defender for a touchdown. Dike also posted three catches and a score, continuing a solid camp. Veterans Lockett and Jefferson added multiple receptions, with Jefferson stacking back-to-back strong sessions.
The run game had its moment too, as Tony Pollard flashed his burst on a long touchdown run and added another score near the goal line. Depth battles on defense also remain interesting. Linebacker Cedric Gray broke up a would-be touchdown in the end zone, and Cody Barton pressured Ward into a throwaway.
Not all news was positive. Calvin Ridley, Tyjae Spears, Kevin Winston Jr., T’Vondre Sweat, and several others were sidelined. Right tackle J.C. Latham also missed practice after leaving Tuesday’s session, and kicker Joey Slye didn’t kick, though he remains steady overall in camp work.
With one preseason game left before roster cuts, the Titans are working to piece things together. Friday night against Minnesota should offer another big measuring stick as any starters that are able to play will likely receive an increased workload.