Tennessee’s football team is in full transition mode. No, things aren’t like they used to be when National Signing Day in February ruled the news. The early signing period has made sure those days are long gone, so UT’s 2025 class is pretty much set.
Here are some future prospects that Tennessee is working hard to land along with an incoming skill-position player that could fill a serious need for the Vols.
RB Justin Baker (Enrolled)
While it would be nice for Baker, a 5-foot-10 and 205-pound prospect from Buford (Ga.) High School, to ease into a contributing role at Tennessee, he may not have that opportunity. The Vols need immediate help at running back and Baker may be able to provide that.
Baker has speed, having run a sub 11-second time the 100-meter dash. Still, he’ll have to prove he’s ready and capable of protecting quarterback Nico Iamaleava before he’ll ever see the field.
ATH Ethan Hauser
Tennessee has made it common practice to offer prospects early in their recruitment. That’s certainly the case with Hauser as the Vols extended their first official invite to the 6-2, 185-pound athlete prospect from Buford (Ga.) High School. The Vols actually served up the offer before the end of his freshman season in high school, way back in November 2023.
After the 2027 prospect finally made it to Tennessee in January, he told 247Sports the following: “just made me feel like home.” That’s a good position for the Vols to be in. Hauser said he’s planning on returning to Knoxville this spring. There is certainly newfound competition for him, as he has over a dozen scholarship offers.
Hauser has some strong ties to Tennessee. He is a former teammate of UT running back Justin Baker and linebacker Jason Perlotte. Both are a part of the Vols’ 2025 class and currently enrolled at UT.
DL Anthony Jones
Tennessee seems to be in great shape to land Jones, a four-star defensive lineman who continues to see his recruitment grow as his scholarship offers pile up. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound prospect is scheduled to visit Knoxville on June 20 and has said the Vols lead for services.
“They are probably my No. 1 school right now, my No. 1 option,” he told ON3. “Just my overall relationship with the coaches. I came up here for a game so the game day environment really impressed me.””
Jones said the remainder of his top five schools consist of Arizona State, Michigan, UCLA and Washington.
LB Brandon Rouse
Rouse has quickly become a key target for the Vols, but there will be competition. The three-star prospect has shown strong interest in Florida, having made two visits there. At 6-3, 210 pounds, the prospect from Kell High School in Marietta, Ga., is rated as the 30th best linebacker in the nation and the 42nd best overall player in Georgia.
