Who you hire matters. When it comes to the Tennessee Volunteers, Josh Heupel has a knack for surrounding himself with elite assistants. His greatest disciple now leads Auburn in Alex Golesh. While Tim Banks did not have a good season last year, he was sensational in 2024. He is now at Auburn with Golesh. With Heupel hiring Jim Knowles, he has brought with him Anthony Poindexter as an assistant.
Together, they all played a part in three-star Brandon Leavell choosing Tennessee among his finalists.
- Clemson Tigers
- Florida Gators
- Florida State Seminoles
- North Carolina State Wolfpack
- Tennessee Volunteers
Leavell committed to Tennessee out of Madison on Monday night, citing that he is home in Knoxville.
BREAKING: Class of 2027 CB Brandon Leavell has Committed to Tennessee, he tells me for @RivalsThe 6’2 170 CB from Madison, TN chose the Vols over Florida and Clemson“#AGTG Knoxville, I’m home. GB🍊”https://t.co/pU4rLdDenHpic.twitter.com/t7lUwCo2xZ
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 18, 2026
According to the 247Sports Composite, Leavell is the No. 28 player from Tennessee, the No. 44 athlete in his class, and the No. 604 prospect in the 2027 recruiting cycle. While he did have 24 official offers, Tennessee always seemed to be at the forefront of his commitment. It helps that Tennessee’s new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach was his primary recruiter to UTK…