2026 Lady Vols Recruiting

[KnoxLikeUs]

Great comparison in terms of rankings!
I’ve watched the film. This kid reminds me of a combination of Alyssa Latham (athleticism) and Cotie McMahon (skillset, frame).
I think at Tennessee she could become an 1st team All-SEC caliber player.

I believe Rae Burrell was ranked in the 70s or 80s and she was good enough to play at a top program like TN and the WNBA. GBO.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I don’t care what ranking a player has if they are an elite talent.

If they are truly an “elite” talent, they have been recognized by recruiting services, even without participating in top tier tournaments.

 

[Higbee]

Bella Flemings and Lola Lampley have movie star like names. We definitely need them.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I’ll take recognition from Power 4 coaching staffs over a recruiting service ranking any day of the week.
Recruiting services get it wrong just as much as some people believe they get it right. Like I said, one example Audi Crooks was ranked No. 57. Elite talent. Another example Aneesah Morrow was unranked. Elite talent.
Baylor, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida aren’t just giving out scholarships to players that aren’t elite talents.
Gabby Minus is an elite talent whether she commits to Tennesse or not.

If they are truly an “elite” talent, they have been recognized by recruiting services, even without participating in top tier tournaments.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I’ll take recognition from Power 4 coaching staffs over a recruiting service ranking any day of the week.
Recruiting services get it wrong just as much as some people believe they get it right. Like I said, one example Audi Crooks was ranked No. 57. Elite talent. Another example Aneesah Morrow was unranked. Elite talent.
Baylor, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida aren’t just giving out scholarships to players that aren’t elite talents.
Gabby Minus is an elite talent whether she commits to Tennesse or not.

I’m am in no way putting a recruiting service’s opinion above those of a P4 coaching staff.

You sully the term “elite” talent.
You always have.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Bella Flemings 2026 prospect official visit to Rocky Top should be kicking off in the coming days.
Coach Caldwell and her staff is recruiting at an elite level. In the meantime, I hope we get some practice footage soon to transition us to the start of the 2025-2026 season.
This should be a great year!

 

[POLOinDC]

Bella Flemings 2026 prospect official visit to Rocky Top should be kicking off in the coming days.
Coach Caldwell and her staff is recruiting at an elite level. In the meantime, I hope we get some practice footage soon to transition us to the start of the 2025-2026 season.
This should be a great year!

Yes, I'm dying for some practice footage.

 

[Higbee]

Bella, Lola, and Kaleena play together on overtime select team, and should play together at Tennessee

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Both of us. In the meantime, we can speculate based on what the outrageous twitter handles post on social media. Look below under the ESPN post and see what this one is saying after the announcement of K.Smith visiting Tennessee.
Everytime Tennessee is posted they try to bait our fanbase with engagement farming. They know good and well K.Smith isn’t better than Saniyah Hall or Oliviyah Edwards. ESPN knows it too.
Tennessee has arguably signed the most athletic player to come out HS since Milaysia Fulwiley in Big Oh. Big Oh could play college basketball right now at Tennessee.
Don’t get me wrong Smith is going to be a really good player but that’s nonsense saying she’s the best from the 2025-2029 classes.

Yes, I'm dying for some practice footage.

 

[Mafiaboss]

I am going to go back out on a limb again and say, re Gabby,,,signs are pretty good right now

Well, look at what I posted from her mom’s Insta. Yeah.

 

[chuckiepoo]

“..bait our fanbase with engagement farming.”

Then, boom, there ya go with the bait.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Something tells me you don’t understand how engagement farming works on social media.
This message forum isn’t bait. Nobody ever responses to this page on Twitter. Keep quoting.

Then, boom, there ya go with the bait.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I’ve heard that there’s a lot being said about Gabby Minus and Tennessee on the paywall sites. I think what people are kind of missing is that Coach Caldwell and the staff have kept all recruiting news private until commits make the official public announcement. They aren’t showing their hand or signaling anything. The transfer portal class this past spring there wasn’t a single rumor coming from the inside on us landing any of those players until they made their announcement. I think it’s happening the same way now with this 2026 class. There’s simply no leaks.

Well, look at what I posted from her mom’s Insta. Yeah.

 

[PRG]

I believe Rae Burrell was ranked in the 70s or 80s and she was good enough to play at a top program like TN and the WNBA. GBO.

Rae Burrell was ranked #43 in class 2018.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Something tells me you don’t understand how engagement farming works on social media.
This message forum isn’t bait. Nobody ever responses to this page on Twitter. Keep quoting.

I understand exactly how it works. All additional clicks are welcome and to have an army of minions, wannabe social influencers, posting at various forums and across platforms, just exacerbates the issue. It is “a” culture, though. Can’t deny that.

 

[BruisedOrange]

Can a bot become a social influencer?
...or do I have to keep pretending?

 

[Putbacks]

Rae Burrell was ranked #43 in class 2018.

Khamil Pierre 2023 was 63rd. She tough!

 

[dlhx]

Don’t get me wrong Smith is going to be a really good player but that’s nonsense saying she’s the best from the 2025-2029 classes.

I personally think it’s Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka, but I don’t believe it’s far fetched to think it’s Smith.

There’s a reason she’s been as sought after as she has for this long. Edwards is comfortably Top 3, though.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

The ESPN list has Edwards comfortably at #2 regardless of class and Smith at #3. The other player you mentioned was on the Second 5. Also Edwards is still being considered for the #1 overall ranking in the 2026 class.
It comes down to which player you prefer I guess. Doesn’t matter really we’ll get to see how they transition on the college level.

I personally think it’s Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka, but I don’t believe it’s far fetched to think it’s Smith.

There’s a reason she’s been as sought after as she has for this long. Edwards is comfortably Top 3, though.

 

[Putbacks]

Edwards will be hanging from the rim looking to see where she lands in the rankings…

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Oliviyah Edwards in the race for No. 1 overall player ranking according to ESPN.
GBO

 

[lvocd]

Edwards will be hanging from the rim looking to see where she lands in the rankings…
View attachment 780128

Ya know, in Caldwell's system Edwards may get quite a few opportunities to dunk the ball on breakways. You never know if/when a player will have the courage to attempt a dunk during a game since it'd probably be embarrassing to miss. (I wouldn't know! lol) But from all I've seen, Edwards has a more effortless-looking elevation and strong technique than most women, so she may be less shy about trying in games.

Of course, it'd be hard to top Candace Parker doing it on a breakaway on Connecticut's home court. The stunned look on some of their fans' faces were fun to see.

 

[Dak1219]

I believe Rae Burrell was ranked in the 70s or 80s and she was good enough to play at a top program like TN and the WNBA. GBO.

Rae was ranked 43 in hoopgurlz, but prospectsnation had her as 119 and the 18 or 19th best wing in the country. So that number is just a number. Its not like yesteryear when the teams that got 3-4 of the top 5 players in a class or two and they were destined t make the final four. The Talent pool has grown tremendously throughout the top 100 and that is expanding yearly.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Rae was ranked 43 in hoopgurlz, but prospectsnation had her as 119 and the 18 or 19th best wing in the country. So that number is just a number. Its not like yesteryear when the teams that got 3-4 of the top 5 players in a class or two and they were destined t make the final four. The Talent pool has grown tremendously throughout the top 100 and that is expanding yearly.

 

[Mafiaboss]

I’ve heard that there’s a lot being said about Gabby Minus and Tennessee on the paywall sites. I think what people are kind of missing is that Coach Caldwell and the staff have kept all recruiting news private until commits make the official public announcement. They aren’t showing their hand or signaling anything. The transfer portal class this past spring there wasn’t a single rumor coming from the inside on us landing any of those players until they made their announcement. I think it’s happening the same way now with this 2026 class. There’s simply no leaks.

Posting something from her mom’s instant reveals enthusiasm for the program. I never said she’s committing. I’ve read your posts. You need to chill.