Ever since Josh Heupel has grown his profile, Tennessee Football recruiting has had a two-front approach when targeting kids out of high school. The first is opening up the checkbook for one or two stars in the class. Otherwise, it’s identifying guys early nobody else does and banking on them to thrive in the system once they arrive.
New Jersey edge rusher C.J. Edwards, who committed to the Vols on Tuesday for 2026, fits the latter. Given the fact that he was recruited by recently promoted outside linebackers coach Levorn “Chop” Harbin, whose calling card is specifically finding undervalued talent, this is all about UT betting on a guy.
Edwards, a three-star on 247Sports Composite, is not yet rated on many of the sites but is a fast-rising star. Coming out of Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen, N.J., he stands at 6’5″ 215 pounds. True to form for the Tennessee football recruiting method, the Vols were the first school to offer him.
So what’s the play here?
Well, a look at his highlight reel shows that he has a quick step, a great first move and incredible vision. All that is likely holding him back is level of competition in New Jersey and questions about whether or not he will be able to maintain his athleticism once he increases his size.
Heupel and his staff are banking on the latter. Honestly, that’s not a bad bet given the fact that James Pearce Jr. wasn’t much heavier when he signed with the Vols, and Edwards has another full year of high school to put on weight and grow before signing anyway.
Taking that into account, this is the exact profile of a player Heupel recruits. Add in the fact that Rodney Garner can develop him and he plays in a system conducive to edge rushers, where the talent is loaded, and there’s clearly a level of confidence in what he can become.
There are now eight commitments in the 2026 Tennessee Football recruiting class, which has moved up to No. 6 in the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings. Edwards follows Tyson Bacon as the two defensive linemen to commit, although Bacon is an interior lineman.
