Josh Heupel‘s first recruiting class at Tennessee was a wild ride. No 5-star recruits, but it still produced a projected first-round NFL pick and an SEC Player of the Year. Not bad, right? But the class wasn’t all gold. Nearly two-thirds of the recruits won’t make an impact until late in their careers. Now, all eyes are on Tennessee’s 2025 class. This is the one that could define their future. But here’s the twist—there’s no major commitment to safety in the 2027 class yet. And get this—Vols offered a 2027 safety scholarship. Is this a bold move, or just a gamble? Not sure, but the 2025 class could make or break the Vols’ legacy.

However, the recruiting battle for this 2027 TB/LB is heating up, and the stakes are sky-high. Why? Two big reasons. First, his father is Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Second, Cooper Witten, a standout at Liberty Christian School, has 14 major offers — Oklahoma, Oregon, Michigan, TCU, Missouri, Duke, SMU, and so on. As of now, this rising star’s recruitment is set to explode. And with a family legacy like his, the pressure is on.

But can any program land him? The countdown is on! And among all of Cooper Witten’s offers, Josh Heupel’s stands out. The reason is his father, Jason Witten. He left a major legacy at Tennessee. In three years, he hauled in 68 receptions for 797 yards and seven TDs. Not only this, as a junior in 2002, Jason earned First-Team All-SEC honors and played his way into a third-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Now, Jason is back in the Tennessee fold, serving as the head coach at Liberty Christian School, where his son Cooper is making waves. To be honest, with family ties like that, Tennessee could be the perfect fit for Cooper.

Cooper is more than just a legacy—he’s carving out his own identity. Unlike his father, Cooper isn’t a TE. He’s a dual threat, playing both safety and WR in high school. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 205 lbs, the sophomore is already turning heads. On top of that, as a freshman, he made his mark on special teams and safety, recovering a touchdown from an interception. But that’s not all—he also recovered a fumble, forced another, and stopped 3 kicks on special teams.

Considering that securing Cooper Witten could be the game-changer for the Vols’ 2027 dynasty. And Cooper’s words say it all: “#AGTG After a great conversation with @coachjoshheupel I am very blessed and grateful to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee #GBO🍊.” However, this isn’t just any recruit—Cooper is ranked by On3 as the No. 42 player in the nation and the No. 3 safety in the 2027 class. So, with his talent and Heupel’s offer on the table, the stakes just got a lot higher for the Vols.

But now, with the 2027 safety’s future still up in the air, Heupel is firing on all cylinders, making power moves to secure the Vols’ future under center.

Josh Heupel’s pivotal action

Even though Nico Iamaleava is the center of attention, Heupel is already setting the stage for what comes next. Here comes Greensboro’s gunslinger, Faizon Brandon. And Brandon has already committed to the Vols. He is a dynamic player with a powerful arm and plenty of potential. However, Tennessee isn’t just protecting its player; it’s also thwarting attempts to flip him by elite institutions like LSU and Bama.

Right now, every elite program in the nation is vying for Brandon’s attention as 247Sports ranked him as the top prospect in the 2026 class. But he is refusing to back down in the face of intense interest. “The nation’s No. 2 quarterback in five-star Faizon Brandon says he’s locked in with Tennessee,” stated Steve Wiltfong of On3.

Despite Brandon’s commitment, nothing is finalized in the recruiting world until signing day. On3 considers him among the most valued prospects with a $1 million NIL valuation. He’s already making money. The star quarterback’s new NIL deal with 7UP proves his skills translate to success both on and off the field.

Let’s now check Josh’s performance in 2025 with more additions.