BREAKING: Four-Star Edge Rusher Hezekiah Harris Flips Commitment from Auburn to Tennessee Volunteers, Rejecting Offers from Georgia, Alabama, and Florida

BREAKING: Four-Star Edge Rusher Hezekiah Harris Flips Commitment from Auburn to Tennessee Volunteers, Rejecting Offers from Georgia, Alabama, and Florida

 

In one of the biggest recruiting flips of the 2026 cycle, four-star edge rusher Hezekiah Harris has officially decommitted from Auburn and announced his commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers, rejecting late offers from Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. The move gives Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel another major victory in his effort to build a championship-caliber defense in Knoxville.

 

Harris, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive force from Alabama, had been one of Auburn’s cornerstone commitments since pledging to the Tigers earlier this year. However, over the past few months, his recruitment began to heat up again as other SEC powerhouses continued to push for his signature. Tennessee emerged as a serious contender after several strong visits and conversations with defensive coordinator Tim Banks, who emphasized Harris’s fit in the Vols’ aggressive defensive system.

 

“I just felt like Tennessee was the best place for me,” Harris said after announcing his flip. “From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home. Coach Heupel and Coach Banks have built something special, and I want to be a part of it. The energy in Knoxville is unmatched.”

 

Ranked among the top edge rushers in the 2026 class, Harris brings an elite combination of size, speed, and strength. His explosive first step allows him to beat blockers off the edge, while his physicality and relentless motor make him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Recruiting analysts have praised his versatility, noting that he can line up as both a traditional defensive end and an outside linebacker in Tennessee’s scheme.

 

Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class has quickly become one of the SEC’s most talked-about groups. Harris joins a growing list of four-star commitments who have chosen the Volunteers over other conference powerhouses, reflecting the program’s momentum under Heupel. With Harris’s addition, the Vols have further solidified their defensive foundation, addressing one of their biggest needs heading into the next few seasons.

 

For Auburn, Harris’s departure marks a major loss. The Tigers had counted on him as one of their top defensive prospects, and his flip underscores the competitive nature of SEC recruiting battles. Auburn will now have to regroup as they look to replace a player many believed could become an instant-impact defender at the college level.

 

For Tennessee, however, this commitment sends a strong message — the Volunteers are no longer just competing with the SEC’s elite; they’re beating them on the recruiting trail. The Vols’ staff has made it clear that their goal is to build a roster capable of challenging for conference titles, and securing a player of Harris’s caliber is another major step in that direction.

 

As the 2026 recruiting cycle continues, Harris’s flip is expected to have ripple effects across the SEC landscape. With his commitment, Tennessee not only strengthens its defense but also reaffirms its status as one of the nation’s fastest-rising programs in recruiting and development.