So who COULD we get if not Heupel?

[All-Vol]

List of 5-Star Recruits Who Signed and Enrolled at Tennessee Under Josh Heupel​

Josh Heupel became head coach in January 2021, so this covers signees from the 2021–2025 recruiting classes (2026 class signs in December 2025, after the current date). All players listed are consensus 5-stars per 247Sports Composite ratings, signed National Letters of Intent with Tennessee, and enrolled to play (no decommitments or flips). They have all appeared in at least one game for the Vols, confirming they "came and played."

Player Name	Recruiting Class	Position	National Rank (247Sports Composite)	Key Notes
Dylan Brooks	2021	DE/LB	No. 18	Played 3 games (4 tackles) before transferring out after 2021 season.
Terrence Lewis	2021	LB	No. 36	Played 4 games (2 tackles) before transferring out after 2021 season.
Nico Iamaleava	2023	QB	No. 4	Enrolled early; redshirted 2023, started 2024 (2,618 pass yds, 19 TDs); SEC Freshman of the Year; Heisman contender in 2025.
Jordan Ross	2024	EDGE	No. 17	Played in 6 games as true freshman in 2024 (3 tackles); emerging rotational player in 2025.
Mike Matthews	2024	WR	No. 31	Played in 5 games as true freshman in 2024 (2 catches, 18 yds); contributor in 2025.
David Sanders Jr.	2025	OT	No. 5	Enrolled early; true freshman starter at left tackle in 2025 (key in Vols' 8-1 start).

Notes:

• 2022 Class: No 5-star signees.
• Total: 6 players. Tennessee's 5-star hit rate under Heupel has been strong, with most contributing significantly (e.g., Iamaleava and Sanders as immediate impact players).
• Sources confirm all enrolled and played via game logs and depth charts from 247Sports and official Tennessee athletics records.

Division I Schools Landing More 5-Star Recruits Than Tennessee Under Josh Heupel (2021–2025)​

Josh Heupel has been Tennessee's head coach since January 2021, covering the 2021–2025 recruiting classes. Based on 247Sports Composite ratings, Tennessee signed 6 consensus 5-star recruits during this period (2 in 2021, 0 in 2022, 1 in 2023, 2 in 2024, and 1 in 2025).


Below is a list of other Division I FBS schools that signed more than 6 total 5-star recruits across these classes. This is derived from comprehensive recruiting data, focusing on high school signees who enrolled (excluding transfers, JUCO, or decommitments). Elite programs dominate due to their consistent national recruiting footprint.

School	Total 5-Stars (2021–2025)	Breakdown by Class
Alabama	20	2021: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 4; 2024: 4; 2025: 4
Georgia	19	2021: 5; 2022: 5; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2025: 2
Texas A&M	18	2021: 8; 2022: 5; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Ohio State	17	2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2025: 3
Texas	15	2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 4; 2025: 7
LSU	15	2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 3
Oregon	14	2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 4; 2025: 3
Michigan	13	2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 3; 2025: 5
USC	12	2021: 4; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Clemson	11	2021: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Oklahoma	10	2021: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Florida	9	2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Notre Dame	8	2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Miami (FL)	7	2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1

Notes:

• Totals reflect signed and enrolled consensus 5-stars (top-32 national recruits per 247Sports Composite). Variations may exist across services like ESPN or On3, but 247Sports is the industry standard.
• Tennessee's total aligns with their rising trajectory under Heupel (e.g., No. 1 in 2025 with David Sanders Jr.), but they lag behind SEC/Big Ten powerhouses.
• No Group of Five (FCS) schools signed any 5-stars in this span, so the list is all Power Four (plus Notre Dame).
• Data current as of November 3, 2025; post-signing adjustments are minimal.

 

[vavolfan6]

Cool. When those other 120 teams start generating 180 million in revenue per year then we’ll start talking. This team is underperforming based off of the level of investment poured into it.

We are only slight underperforming this year and have overperformed every year under Josh Heupel.

All becuase a program brings in a massive amount of revenue doesn't mean it will translate into immediate results. Expectations are correlated with the ability a team has to recruit talented players. Money helps accomplish that but is not the end all be all. As mentioned geography matters as well as tradition, history of success, coaching relationships, etc..We currently just crossed over the 50% Blue Chip ratio of talented players and are 11th in the country. So to be ranked 22nd is slightly underperforming. Not worth freaking out about as Heupel is still recruiting around top 10 classes. We were just on the wrong side of some unfortunate turnovers this year.

 

[GVF]

Ok. Cool you do you. Trying to make others look like the bad guy for wanting better performance from 6 figure players and an 8 figure coach is a weird flex but I’m glad you had a great Sunday. I did as well. My life is separate from the sports messaging board.

Never said better performance wasn't desired. Would love to see it myself. But, they are 18-20 for the most part since we have a young roster. With or without the money, their level of abilities right now is what it is. 6 figures ain't gonna change that. If anything it makes them worse.

 

[VOLociraptorr]

I do not want to get back into the coaching carousel. I am not completely put this on Heupel, I think it has been difficult to recruit 5 star players to TN. QUESTION: Could you recruit a 5 star.

All that said, I'm still disappointed

Checks Notes from a variety of sites (not composite)
Nico 5 star
David Sanders 5 star
Faizon 5 Star
Keys 5 star
Isaiah Campbell 5 star
Mike Matthews 5 star
Pearce Jr. 5 star
Hobbs 5 star
Moa 5 star
Jordan Ross 5 star
Moa 5 star
Osenda 5 star

all of these dudes were 5 stars on at least one service, many on the composite. Most of them 2024 or 2025.

We can get five stars. We need them in the secondary and LB-and LB is trending up.

 

[Cobb-Webb 1989]

Checks Notes from a variety of sites (not composite)
Nico 5 star
David Sanders 5 star
Faizon 5 Star
Keys 5 star
Isaiah Campbell 5 star
Mike Matthews 5 star
Pearce Jr. 5 star
Hobbs 5 star
Moa 5 star
Jordan Ross 5 star
Moa 5 star
Osenda 5 star

all of these dudes were 5 stars on at least one service, many on the composite. Most of them 2024 or 2025.

We can get five stars. We need them in the secondary and LB-and LB is trending up.

We (Hype) needs to be able to develop Faizon real fast.

Don't redshirt him.

 

[WaywardVol]

We (Hype) needs to be able to develop Faizon real fast.

Don't redshirt him.

Heupel needs to look at his S&C. He needs an OC that can develop QBs and actually call plays. Heupel had some plays in the book earlier this year and has abandoned them. Mostly because our backs are terrible catching the ball.

Major revisions needed on the defensive side.

 

[sambronkowitz]

If we were to let go of Heupel for another coach, which I don't think we should, this would NOT be the year to do so. We got a lot of programs that let go of their coaches and are looking for another one. This is a year where it'd be more difficult to land a "homerun hire" or one that is better than Heupel. LSU, Florida, and Penn State, sadly, are also attractive destinations as well as Tennessee, and they already would have the jump on us in finding a coach. We'd be best to stay the course at the end of the season and keep Coach Heupel.

I say we give Heupel another couple of years at least. But we fans should be on him to make some changes with his coaching staff, especially one defense, special teams, and, for sure, strength and conditioning. At the end of the season, Banks and Martinez need to be handed their walking papers, along with the special teams and strength and conditioning coach. No reason we should have a kicker that keeps missing clutch field goals at the most important time because he's caves under pressure. No reason we should keep having several players injured every game. That's really unacceptable. But the offensive coaches, keep doing what you're doing.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

In my opinion he’s fielded one elite team, which was 2022. That team would have made the playoffs in the current format and had a chance to make some noise.

Last year’s team was in no way elite and benefited from an anomaly of an easy schedule we aren’t likely to see again any time soon.

So really he’s proven he can get there with someone else’s players (much like the success he had at UCF). Can he manage a roster, staff, and all the other crap to get us to the top? There really isn’t a lot of basis to say he can.

And think about the talent in 2022. Looking back it’s much like the teams that butch had. Once it’s all done you look back and realize the elite talent covered up much coaching malpractice.

 

[molsen81]

A 62 year old, lifetime .500 coach that hasn't fielded a winning season team in 17 years. Perhaps you are kidding, but the number here who think you are not kidding is way too high.

Guess what he knows how to do? Manage a clock. Sign the check homie.

 

[anbailey76]

This is ridiculous. People forget where we were when Heupel got here. Plus, doesn't anyone member our last 3 or 4 coach I no searches, no one wants this job. This program needs continuity and stability. Heupel is building a nice recruiting class for the next couple of years. If we were to fire him now, it would set this program back another 10 to 15 yrs. That's a fact. How quickly people forget. Thankfully Danny White smarter than most of our fans and isn't making a knee-jerk fire like some of these other schools. I only worry that Heupel is going to get tired golf hearing that kind of stuff and leave.

 

[LWSVOL]

I do not want to get back into the coaching carousel. I am not completely put this on Heupel, I think it has been difficult to recruit 5 star players to TN. QUESTION: Could you recruit a 5 star.

All that said, I'm still disappointed

check White's histroy... he tends to hire up and coming coaches. not established head coaches that have competed for championships at a P4 level. His pick would be along those lines IMO

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

Heupel should not even be close to being on the hot seat, TN is relevant again, Heup needs to adjust his staff and develop depth. We have had a new starting QB 4 years in a row, Aguilar has filled in pretty good but his interception throwing tendencies have been pretty apparent, we all knew he was going to turn the ball over, but some of them are just head scratchers. I do not think the Vols will beat both Florida and Vandy, I am inclined to think they will lose to both due to defensive liabilities and teams who have figured out that JA will panic if pressured. 7-5 season, maybe 8-5 with a bowl win. Even if that happens you do not fire Heupel, he needs to reevaluate his program, make staffing changes as needed and figure out why his best players keep getting hurt before the season starts. If he goes 7-5 back to back, which next years schedule is brutal, then we can talk about the hot seat.

 

[JMSqb11]

Heupel should not even be close to being on the hot seat, TN is relevant again, Heup needs to adjust his staff and develop depth. We have had a new starting QB 4 years in a row, Aguilar has filled in pretty good but his interception throwing tendencies have been pretty apparent, we all knew he was going to turn the ball over, but some of them are just head scratchers. I do not think the Vols will beat both Florida and Vandy, I am inclined to think they will lose to both due to defensive liabilities and teams who have figured out that JA will panic if pressured. 7-5 season, maybe 8-5 with a bowl win. Even if that happens you do not fire Heupel, he needs to reevaluate his program, make staffing changes as needed and figure out why his best players keep getting hurt before the season starts. If he goes 7-5 back to back, which next years schedule is brutal, then we can talk about the hot seat.

The sad part is that the defense has played more than good enough to win in the second half of the season and the offense has failed to play just average at best.

Defense held Bama to 4/9 scoring drives / Offense gave 10 points to Bama with turnovers / 17 point margin
Defense held Kentucky to 5/12 scoring drives AND had defensive touchdown
Defense held Oklahoma to 7/12 scoring drives / Offense gave 10 points to Oklahoma with turnovers / 6 point margin

If the current level of defensive play holds, we will have a very good chance in the remaining games. The offense just has to be average at minimum.

 

[newyorkvol]

The sad part is that the defense has played more than good enough to win in the second half of the season and the offense has failed to play just average at best.

Defense held Bama to 4/9 scoring drives / Offense gave 10 points to Bama with turnovers / 17 point margin
Defense held Kentucky to 5/12 scoring drives AND had defensive touchdown
Defense held Oklahoma to 7/12 scoring drives / Offense gave 10 points to Oklahoma with turnovers / 6 point margin

If the current level of defensive play holds, we will have a very good chance in the remaining games. The offense just has to be average at minimum.

Oklahoma was 13pts off turnovers. Fumble and both INT’s went for FG’s. Could almost even add another 3 since we were in FG range at the time of the fumble. (I know….unlikely make for our shaky kicker.)

 

[JMSqb11]

Oklahoma was 13pts off turnovers. Fumble and both INT’s went for FG’s. Could almost even add another 3 since we were in FG range at the time of the fumble. (I know….unlikely make for our shaky kicker.)

I put Gilbert very low on the list of reasons we lost personally.

The offense was just atrocious in “clutch time”