Uproar as Top programs trying to poach 5-star Tennessee Vols signee while the Vols are working to flip four-star running back Messiah Mickens, who is currently committed to Penn State.

As of March 11, 2025, there have been no recent reports of other programs attempting to poach a five-star signee from the Tennessee Volunteers. In fact, the current landscape shows Tennessee actively pursuing top talent committed elsewhere. For instance, the Volunteers are working to flip four-star running back Messiah Mickens, who is currently committed to Penn State. Mickens is reevaluating his commitment following the departure of Penn State’s running backs coach, Ja’Juan Seider, to Notre Dame.

Additionally, Tennessee is targeting four-star cornerback Zyan Gibson, the sole commit in Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class. Despite his commitment to the Crimson Tide, Gibson plans to visit Tennessee in June, indicating he is keeping his options open.

Furthermore, the Volunteers’ prized 2026 commit, five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, has openly discussed his relationship with rival SEC coaches. However, there is no indication that these interactions have affected his commitment to Tennessee.

In summary, there is no current uproar regarding other programs attempting to poach a five-star signee from Tennessee. On the contrary, the Volunteers are proactively seeking to strengthen their roster by engaging with top recruits committed to other schools.

Recruiting Battles Intensify in College Football.