2025 Recruiting: Vols surge into top 10
This summer has been a good one for the Vols on the recruiting trail. The Tennessee football team has garnered commitments from three major prospects that have vaulted the team up to the No. 6 class in the country per 247Sports.
Christian Gass (4-star), Travis Smith (4-star) and Lagonza Hayward (4-star) all committed to Tennessee within the last week.
The first commitment came from Smith last Saturday. The 6’3.5, 200 lb receiver has made some noise around the country, as national analyst Hudson Standish described him as a “matchup nightmare.”Smith collected 53 catches for 843 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns his junior season. He also runs track and plays basketball.
“It’s like a family up there,” Smith said to On3. “I really have a great feel for the guys in the Tennessee program. … It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. At the end of the day, I felt like Tennessee fit what I was looking for the best.”
Gass kept the momentum going Sunday with another commitment. The 6’2.5, 215 lb linebacker collected 68 tackles in 2023 along with 11 TFLs, two sacks and a forced fumble. Gass described Tennessee as “the best fit” in an interview with On3 this week.
“At Tennessee, their scheme fits me. I have watched film, I have been around the team and the coaches have shown me how I can make an impact,” Gass said. “When I narrowed things down, who was genuine and showed me love was important, Tennessee always did that.”
The positive culture around Tennessee has certainly been the reasoning behind many recent commitments, citing that genuity and the family feel are what drew them to Tennessee the most.
Hayward blew the top off the week with his latest pledge. The 6’1, 200 lb safety is another 3-sport athlete that leads a basketball team and is a track stand out. Hayward also plays both sides of the football.
In his junior season, he picked off 3 passes, compiled 48 tackles, 3 TFL’s and a forced fumble. Offensively, he caught 26 passes for 727 yards and 7 touchdowns. He averaged 28 yards per reception, ultimately earning a downfield threat role for Toombs High School in Georgia.
Hayward cited that the Vols spotted him early on and that carried weight in his commitment.
“They believed in me early on in the process,” he said to on3. “They took a chance on me when no one else would be for the stars and the rankings. Spending time with the people since they offered me, and they were the first ones to offer, so of course you’re going to build relationships with people. It was the perfect situation, it fit like a glove.”
According to Hayward’s Instagram, he doesn’t think the Vols are done this weekend and beyond, predicting a top-5 class before the end of the season.
