{"id":878287,"date":"2026-04-30T01:46:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T01:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/878287\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T01:46:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T01:46:02","slug":"why-tennessee-football-coach-josh-heupel-still-prioritizes-high-school-recruiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/878287\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel still prioritizes high school recruiting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel<\/a> doesn\u2019t have to make trips to Nashville area high school football programs.<\/p>\n

He wants to.<\/p>\n

While college football coaches are increasingly tapping into the transfer portal to build championship rosters, Heupel said during the Big Orange Caravan on April 29 that high school recruits are vital \u2014 including the ones around Nashville.<\/p>\n

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That area has been good to the Vols, with 11 players from Middle Tennessee on Heupel\u2019s current roster.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee men\u2019s basketball coach Rick Barnes speaks with football coach Josh Heupel and women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee men\u2019s basketball coach Rick Barnes speaks with football coach Josh Heupel and women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee fans attend the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

“Voice Of The Vols” Mike Keith moderates the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee men\u2019s basketball coach Rick Barnes speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee fans attend the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee men\u2019s basketball coach Rick Barnes speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee men\u2019s basketball coach Rick Barnes speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee fans attend the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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12 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

“Voice Of The Vols” Mike Keith speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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14 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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15 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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16 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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17 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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18 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee athletic director Danny White speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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19 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

“Voice Of The Vols” Mike Keith speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

20 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

“Voice Of The Vols” Mike Keith speaks during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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21 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel greets fans during the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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22 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee athletic director Danny White speaks to reporters before the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

23 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee athletic director Danny White speaks to reporters before the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

24 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell speaks to reporters before the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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25 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell speaks to reporters before the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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26 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks to reporters before the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

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27 \/ 27<\/p>\n

Our best photos from Tennessee’s 2026 Big Orange Caravan stop in Nashville<\/p>\n

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks to reporters before the annual Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

More: Tennessee football’s Josh Heupel weighs in on Jermod McCoy’s NFL draft drop<\/a><\/p>\n

More: Josh Heupel updates Chaz Coleman status amid Tennessee absence, NIL questions<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe portal\u2019s a way to supplement your roster. I don\u2019t think you can just strictly build it that way,\u201d Heupel said before the event at Marathon Music Works. \u201cThat\u2019s guys in your system developing that way, leadership, all those things. The two have to merge together. This year we\u2019ve had more kids in the portal than we typically have. I think that depends where your roster\u2019s at, where you\u2019re going to lean a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Tennessee’s in-state recruiting bottomed out following former coach Jeremy Pruitt\u2019s dismissal in 2021. The Vols signed just one top-10 prospect from the state in the 2021 and 2022 classes combined as the program dealt with questions related to NCAA infractions committed during Pruitt’s regime.<\/p>\n

Heupel instituted a complete turnaround in that department.<\/p>\n

Former Middle Tennessee prospects are filling crucial spots for the Vols. That includes their potential starter at quarterback for 2026 with redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, a former Brentwood Academy star, competing with five-star freshman Faizon Brandon for the job.<\/p>\n

Tennessee All-SEC linebacker Arion Carter was a sleeper 2023 recruit from Smyrna who emerged late in his high school career and Heupel’s staff secured him. Former Lipscomb Academy linebacker Edwin Spillman was Tennessee\u2019s leading tackler last season.<\/p>\n

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Nashville area high school prospects on the Vols\u2019 roster include MacIntyre, Carter, Spillman, offensive lineman Jesse Perry (MTCS); defensive back Luke Thompson (Franklin); defensive lineman Zach Groves (East Robertson); offensive lineman Kamari Blair (Kirkwood); running back Daune Morris (Oakland); defensive tackle Ethan Utley (Ensworth); defensive back Jackson Mathews (CPA); and safety Joel Wyatt (Oakland).<\/p>\n

MacIntyre was arguably the most heralded of that group. He was rated as high as a five-star prospect at BA in the 2024 recruiting class, completing 187 of 286 passes for 2,723 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions as a senior while being selected as a Mr. Football finalist.<\/p>\n

Heupel and Tennessee beat out the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan and Oregon for MacIntyre.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think at the quarterback position when guys come in, they understand there\u2019s growth that has to happen,\u201d Heupel said. \u201cPhysically maturing, mentally continuing to grow \u2014 that\u2019s inside the game and adjusting to college life. George took advantage of his first year and has continued to grow, continued to put size on his frame. And he\u2019s grown a bunch as a quarterback. He\u2019s handled the process really well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He also contributes to The Tennessean’s high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel values high school recruiting<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel doesn\u2019t have to make trips to Nashville area high school football programs. He…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":878288,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2026],"tags":[331,7,38904,40812,1376,965,1209,11281],"class_list":["post-878287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-college-football","tag-football","tag-george-macintyre","tag-jeremy-pruitt","tag-josh-heupel","tag-middle-tennessee","tag-tennessee-football","tag-vols"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116491140469434385","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/878287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=878287"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/878287\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/878288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=878287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=878287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=878287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}