Tennessee’s bevy of visitors this weekend is headlined by at least eight prospects that rank as a four or five-star prospect. 

Here is a look at the most coveted prospects for the 2023 class that are visiting Tennessee’s campus this weekend:

RB Jeremiah Cobb

This four-star prospect looks like a long shot for the Vols. Cobb, a 5-foot-11, 186-pound running back from Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic Prep, has been raised in an Auburn family in an area full of Auburn fans. It would be a surprise pickup for any team that doesn’t scream, “War Eagle”.

DL Wilky Denaud

Denaud, a four-star prospect, is a late addition to Tennessee’s visit list. He recently announced that he will take official visits to Auburn, FSU, Indiana and Tennessee this fall and that those schools are his list of finalists. Therefore, Denaud is apparently in no rush to make a quick decision. 

The 6-4, 245-pound prospect from Josh Carroll High School in Fort Pierce, Fla., is a bit difficult to read at this point. It’s not even clear, based on his earlier comments about taking an official visit to Tennessee this fall, that this weekend’s trip counts as an official at all. However, he’s listed on some recruiting services as taking an official visit this weekend.

Every prospect gets just one official visit per school, so this just seems like a spur-of-the-moment, unofficial visit. Official or not, it’s meaningful that he would want to be in Knoxville with so much star power on hand.

QB Nicolas “Nico” Iamaleava

There’s not much more to be said that hasn’t already been said about Iamaleava, a 6-5, 195-pound prospect that has ignited Tennessee’s fan base. Iamaleava is a five-star prospect, rated as the No. 3 quarterback in the country and the No. 4 prospect overall. Iamaleava committed to Tennessee in March and has been recruiting for Tennessee ever since.

Iamaleava, who is from Long Beach Poly (Calif.) Tech, is the lynchpin of Tennessee’s class and would be the Vols’ highest rated commitment in the history of the program – since recruiting rankings became mainstream in the late 1990’s.

CB Ja’Keem Jackson

Jackson is thought to be leaning toward Alabama, Auburn or Tennessee. However, Penn State is making a strong push for the 6-1, 180-pound defensive back prospect from Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Fla.

There doesn’t appear to be a strong lean to any of the trio of schools in play for Jackson, according to a source. That’s good news for the Vols as they recruit the four-star prospect.

DB Jordan Matthews

It’s never easy to pull a top prospect out of Louisiana if LSU really wants said prospect, especially if he’s a defensive back. The Tigers’ history of producing top-flight NFL prospects in the secondary helps them in recruiting each and every year. Well, pulling Matthews from Louisiana is exactly what the Vols are trying to do. At least Matthews, a 6-foot, 165-pound cornerback has shown he’s willing to leave the state.

Texas is in a great position, according to a source familiar with Matthews’ recruitment. LSU and Texas A&M are also in the mix for the four-star prospect. Therefore, there’s plenty of competition. However, just being willing to leave Louisiana is cause for optimism for the Vols and every other team on Matthews list. 

Michigan has also shown interest in Matthews, who is from Woodlawn (La.) High School. That interest has been reciprocated. It will be interesting to see if Mathews is really willing to leave the south. History would suggest he won’t.

OL Francis Mauigoa

The 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive lineman from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., has great power and “heavy hands”, meaning he can explode into defensive linemen and control them with his exceptional upper-body strength.

Mauigoa looks like a right tackle for now. However, he could slide inside to guard because he’s so good at run blocking. The competition is intense for Mauigoa. Alabama, Florida, Miami and Southern California are all in the hunt, along with the Vols. Mauigoa, a four-star prospect, would be a huge pickup for the Vols and considered a monumental victory against some SEC rivals.

DL Hunter Osborne

Like Mauigoa, the battle for Osbourne is also highly contested. Auburn, Clemson, Alabama and Texas are thought to lead Tennessee. However, this weekend’s official visit could change things for the 6-3, 250-pound defensive lineman from Trussville (Ala.) High School.

If Tennessee could just snap their fingers and land a prospect from this weekend’s recruiting haul, Osborne would be right at the top of that list for the Vols. The four-star prospect is just that good.

DL Tomarrion Parker

Parker recently committed to Penn State. However, he is still scheduled to make his official visit to Tennessee on Saturday. Florida and Alabama are also in the hunt for the 6-4, 250-pound prospect from Phenix City (Ala.) High School. Time will tell if that Penn State commitment holds true for the four-star prospect until signing day.

OT Shamurad Umarov

A former Vol could make recruiting Umarov very challenging for Tennessee. Georgia offensive line coach Matt Luke, who was an assistant at Tennessee in the mid-2000’s, has done a great job recruiting Umarov and the two have a strong relationship, per a source.

LSU offensive line coach Brad Davis has forged a similar connection with Umarov, who is 6-6 and 315 pounds and resides in Alpharetta, Fla. Tennessee is definitely in the mix, per a source. Watch out for Michigan State. Spartans head coach Mel Tucker, who has strong recruiting ties in the south, has targeted Umarov as a top prospect. Still, sources say the four-star prospect from Denmark High School will likely stay in the SEC.