Deion Sanders Poaching Tennessee’s Star Recruit: A Recruiting Battle Heats Up
Recruiting season isn’t just about landing commitments—it’s also about flipping them. Players who have long been committed to a program sometimes reconsider after receiving a better offer elsewhere. One such recruiting battle is unfolding in Tennessee, where Coach Deion Sanders is making a bold move to sway a top recruit away from the Volunteers.
Tennessee’s Strong 2026 Recruiting Class
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The Tennessee Volunteers currently hold the No. 7 spot in the 2026 recruiting rankings, according to 247Sports. Their class includes one 5-star recruit, three 4-star prospects, and several 3-star commits. One of those 3-star players is Carson Sneed, a tight end from Nashville. However, on the 247Sports Composite rankings, he is rated as a 4-star prospect and ranks as the No. 14 tight end nationally.
Sneed committed to Tennessee in August 2023, but he has continued to explore other options. While predictions still favor the Volunteers, Sanders has made a compelling offer. And it appears that offensive tackle Jordan Seaton—who flipped from Tennessee to Colorado—has taken on a recruiting role himself.
Jordan Seaton’s Role in the Recruiting Tug-of-War
On March 20, Sneed shared an Instagram post featuring practice photos and updates on his recruitment. Seaton commented, “Come home,” to which Sneed responded with a cryptic “TMI” emoticon. This exchange has sparked speculation about whether Sneed is considering a switch.
Seaton, who was once heavily pursued by Tennessee, ultimately chose to play for Sanders at Colorado, reportedly turning down a multi-million-dollar NIL deal from the Volunteers. His NIL value is currently estimated at $1.5 million. He had an impressive season at Colorado, allowing only three sacks, and now seems to be actively recruiting Sneed to follow in his footsteps.
Deion Sanders Makes His Move
Since January, Sanders has been pursuing Sneed aggressively, hoping to flip him from Tennessee. Although Sneed has been looking at multiple schools, his only official visit outside of Tennessee has been to Colorado.
Last weekend, he visited Boulder, raising concerns for Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel. The allure of playing under “Coach Prime” and the potential NIL opportunities in Colorado seem to be strong factors in Sneed’s decision-making process.
“I’m really interested in the opportunity to get coached by some legends and guys with lots of ball knowledge,” Sneed told On3 Sports. “And if I end up there, I could get developed by those guys.”
According to Sports Illustrated, Sneed was likely the only recruit visiting Boulder that weekend, meaning he had the full attention of the coaching staff.
What’s Next?
With the 2026 signing period approaching, both Tennessee and Colorado are running out of time to secure Sneed’s commitment. Sanders is expected to continue making a strong push, while Tennessee will have to work hard to ensure their star tight end doesn’t jump ship.
This recruiting battle is far from over, and it remains to be seen whether Sneed will stay loyal to the Volunteers or take his talents to Boulder.