KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — June 11, 2025 – The Tennessee Volunteers football program has added another promising piece to its 2026 recruiting class with the commitment of three-star safety KJ McClain.
The New Jersey native officially announced his decision following an official visit to the campus on June 6.
Rated as the No. 607 overall player nationally, McClain ranks as the 47th-best safety and the 10th-best prospect in the Garden State, according to composite rankings. His commitment adds valuable depth and versatility to the Volunteers’ secondary plans moving forward.
McClain becomes the eighth overall commitment in what is shaping up to be a balanced and competitive recruiting class for head coach Josh Heupel and his staff.
The 2026 class is headlined by standout quarterback Faizon Brandon and includes a diverse mix of talent across both offensive and defensive positions.
Tennessee Volunteers 2026 Recruiting class sor far
Gabriel Osenda, OT
Tyreek King, WR
Carson Sneed, TE
CJ Edwards, EDGE
Tyran Evans, WR
Braylon Outlaw, LB
KJ McClain, S
With summer visits ramping up, the Volunteers are expected to continue adding to their class. McClain’s commitment comes at a critical time in the recruiting cycle, and Tennessee hopes to build momentum as more prospects make their college decisions.
As the Volunteers gear up for another competitive SEC campaign, McClain’s addition underscores the program’s continued focus on shoring up its defense and maintaining a pipeline of talented recruits for years to come.
