Tennessee Football Makes Strong Push for 4-Star Running Back Kaydin Jones from Oklahoma
As the 2024 football season wraps up, recruiting efforts are intensifying for Tennessee football. The Vols have made significant moves in the transfer portal, securing commitments from running back Star Thomas and interior offensive lineman Sam Pendleton. With the spring semester approaching, head coach Josh Heupel is focused on continuing to build his recruiting class for 2026. Heupel’s coaching staff has already secured verbal commitments from eight players, but they are actively pursuing more talent as they head into the next phase of the recruitment cycle.
One name Tennessee fans should pay close attention to in the coming months is Kaydin Jones, a highly regarded 4-star running back from Jenks High School in Oklahoma. The 5-10, 175-pound Jones has become one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. Throughout his recruitment process, he has received an impressive 25 scholarship offers, signaling his elite talent. Recently, Jones narrowed his list to just five schools, and the Tennessee Volunteers are among those still in the running.
Jones is currently ranked as the No. 19 running back nationally and is the third-ranked player in Oklahoma according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Along with Tennessee, Jones is considering Oklahoma, Kansas, Vanderbilt, and Louisville as his top contenders. The fact that Tennessee has made it this far in the recruitment process is a positive sign for the Vols, as they continue to battle for his commitment.
While Oklahoma, Jones’s home-state school, might have an edge due to proximity, it seems the recruitment process remains wide open. Tennessee, under Heupel’s leadership, has created an exciting and dynamic offensive system, with running backs playing a key role. The success of players like Dylan Sampson, who recently earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors, could be a major selling point for Tennessee as they recruit Jones. The Vols’ ability to showcase their offensive explosiveness and the opportunity to thrive in a high-powered system could be a strong draw for the talented running back.
However, despite Tennessee’s strong position, Jones has not yet set a timeline for his final decision. With so much talent on display at all five of his finalists, it could take time for him to
