Tennessee Vols hold off late charge from Texas Longhorns to land potential impact four-star 2026 recruit from the Peach State on Tuesday
On a scorching July Tuesday, the Tennessee Volunteers secured yet another recruiting victory in what has become a red-hot 2026 cycle for head coach Josh Heupel and his staff. This time, the Vols held off a late surge from the Texas Longhorns to land dynamic four-star athlete Marcus Carmichael from Savannah, Georgia—a commitment that strengthens Tennessee’s foothold in SEC territory and delivers another versatile playmaker to Knoxville.
Carmichael, ranked as the No. 121 overall prospect in the 2026 class and the No. 10 player in Georgia, announced his decision on social media, donning orange and white while declaring, “Rocky Top is home.” His choice marks a major recruiting win not only because of his talent but also due to the aggressive late push made by Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns.
“It was a tough decision,” Carmichael said. “Texas came on strong, but at the end of the day, Coach Heupel and Coach Martinez never stopped believing in me.”
Carmichael is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete who has starred on both sides of the ball at Jenkins High School. While listed as an “athlete” by most recruiting services, Tennessee projects him as a defensive back, specifically a boundary corner with the physicality and agility to potentially slide into a hybrid nickel role.
In his junior year, Carmichael racked up 5 interceptions, 43 tackles, and added 3 touchdowns as a returner, showcasing his speed, instincts, and field vision.
“He’s got that SEC twitch,” said a regional scout for 247Sports. “He’s physical, he’s fast, and he doesn’t back down. That’s the kind of edge Tennessee is looking for.”
Carmichael also posted a 10.74 100m dash in track this spring, confirming his straight-line speed to match elite receivers—an increasingly necessary trait in the modern SEC.
Carmichael had long been considered a Tennessee lean, visiting Knoxville unofficially in April and returning for his official visit during the Vols’ June 14–16 recruiting weekend. However, Texas entered the race in late May and rapidly made up ground. Sarkisian and DBs coach Terry Joseph visited twice in June, and sources say the Longhorns presented a compelling NIL package and the opportunity for early playing time in the new-look SEC.
Still, Tennessee’s consistency won the day.
“Coach Martinez stayed on me every week,” Carmichael said. “They didn’t just recruit me—they built a relationship with my whole family.”
The connection with Tennessee DB coach Willie Martinez, along with a strong relationship with 2026 QB commit Zayden Norris, helped seal the deal. Norris reportedly spoke to Carmichael daily over the last two weeks.
Carmichael becomes the 13th commitment in Tennessee’s 2026 class and the second defensive back to pledge this summer. His addition pushes the Vols’ class to No. 16 nationally, continuing a June-July rise that saw Tennessee land blue-chip players at wide receiver, offensive line, linebacker, and now in the secondary.
The Vols’ recruiting priorities in 2026 have been clear:
- Add speed and length to the secondary
- Secure a high-upside, mobile quarterback (Norris)
- Fortify the trenches with athleticism (Deacon Schmitt, OL)
- Find explosive playmakers on the perimeter (Jayshawn Reaves, WR)
Carmichael checks multiple boxes, and Tennessee’s staff views him as a potential early contributor on special teams and a long-term answer at corner.
While Josh Heupel is best known for his up-tempo, quarterback-driven offense, one of the most notable shifts in the past two recruiting cycles has been Tennessee’s defensive emphasis. Under DC Tim Banks, the Vols are recruiting rangier, more versatile defenders who can hold up against the SEC’s speed and physicality.
Carmichael joins four-star linebacker Keenan Ellis and three-star DE Malik Fenner as the latest signs of that strategy.
“Coach Heupel is building something real,” Carmichael said. “It’s not just about scoring points. It’s about stopping the best, too.”
As with many high-profile 2026 recruits, Carmichael’s decision was influenced by NIL dynamics—but not driven by them. Sources say Tennessee presented a competitive but measured NIL package, emphasizing long-term brand development, personal fit, and exposure over raw dollar figures.
The Vols’ Volunteer Club NIL collective continues to grow in both visibility and structure, offering recruits like Carmichael assurances about financial support while maintaining an academic and team-first culture.
“My family wanted me somewhere I’d be more than a number,” Carmichael said. “Tennessee felt like family.”
Player Comp: Cam Smith (South Carolina → Miami Dolphins)
Carmichael has similar measurables and mentality to the former All-SEC corner—aggressive, confident, willing to challenge top receivers, and physical in run support. Like Smith, he’s expected to need a year of development before starting, but could see early reps in nickel or dime packages.
Projection:
- Freshman Year: Special teams contributor, 2-deep cornerback rotation
- Sophomore Year: Starting outside corner, possible all-conference upside
- NFL Potential: Day 2 draft pick with upward mobility depending on technique growth
While Carmichael is a consensus four-star, his impact goes beyond his rating. Tennessee beat out an SEC peer and a rising Texas program for a blue-chip defender from Georgia—a recruiting territory that has been critical in the Vols’ climb under Heupel.
It also signals that Tennessee is competing nationally, not just regionally, for top players—and winning on the trail with a message centered on development, culture, and trust.
As Josh Heupel continues to push toward a College Football Playoff berth, days like this inch the Vols closer—not just in rankings, but in readiness.
Marcus Carmichael is in. And Tennessee just got a whole lot faster.
