Based on the limited number of players Tennessee added in the offseason via the transfer portal and a lack of top five recruiting classes, the story got out that the Vols’ NIL long-term focus is about keeping players they already have rather than adding splash stars. That’s basically the Michigan Wolverines’ national championship model.
Of course, such a strategy seems to be in direct conflict with everything surrounding Nico Iamaleava, the $2 million man whose NIL payments single-handedly took down the NCAA’s regulations in recruiting. However, that was early in the NIL age and Josh Heupel’s tenure, and the Vols needed a star.
Recent developments tell a different story, though.
Reports surfaced early in January that five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr., a member of the 2025 Tennessee Football recruiting class, was the highest-paid player on the NIL trail this year. Heupel went for a plug-and-play guy out of high school and shelled out money for him.
Now, ON3’s Steve Wiltfong is reporting that 2026 quarterback commitment Faizon Brandon is valued at $1 million in NIL money. UT targeted him despite getting in-state 2025 quarterback George MacIntyre, the heir apparent to Iamaleava, reportedly at a discount.
So what’s the Vols’ NIL strategy here?
It’s obviously not just focused on keeping in-house players for chemistry and avoiding buying superstars, nor is it shelling out money for transfers. Oh, and it’s not all focused on buying elite recruiting classes out of high school, as the rankings don’t seem to reflect that.
Only one of two things are true. Either Tennessee’s NIL and recruiting isn’t where it needs to be, or the Vols have a strategy of identifying underrated talent early, using those players to build a class, and adding a couple of splash players like Iamaleava, Sanders and Brandon on top of that.
This would explain the one or two five-stars in each class that keep Tennessee in the top 10 to 15 range with the rankings. A guy like Mike Matthews in the Vols’ 2024 recruiting class would make sense here. Build a core, and then season it with the stars.
Will this work?
Well, if that is indeed the strategy, it allows Tennessee to have a certain level of chemistry other schools don’t have with stars to help carry them forward. It’s a risky proposition, but maybe it’s just what Heupel and co. need. However, that’s a tricky explanation, and on the surface, what they’ve been doing makes no sense.
