BREAKING: Four-Star Linebacker Brayden Rouse Commits to Tennessee Volunteers, Choosing Vols Over Alabama, Texas, and Michigan

BREAKING: Four-Star Linebacker Brayden Rouse Commits to Tennessee Volunteers, Choosing Vols Over Alabama, Texas, and Michigan

 

In a major recruiting win for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers, four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse has officially announced his commitment to Tennessee, choosing the Vols over powerhouse programs Alabama, Texas, and Michigan. The announcement, made Saturday afternoon on social media, marks another significant addition to Tennessee’s growing 2026 recruiting class.

 

Rouse, a standout from Greenwood High School in Arkansas, is ranked among the top linebackers in the nation for the class of 2026. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, he’s known for his explosive athleticism, exceptional field vision, and leadership on defense. His commitment gives Tennessee one of the most versatile defensive prospects in the Southeast — and a player who has been on the radar of top-tier programs for over a year.

 

“I felt like Tennessee was the right fit for me — both on and off the field,” Rouse said during his commitment video. “Coach Heupel and Coach Brian Jean-Mary made me feel like family from day one. The culture in Knoxville is special, and I can see myself growing as both a player and a person there.”

 

Rouse’s decision comes after months of intense recruiting battles. Alabama pushed hard late, emphasizing its linebacker development history, while Texas and Michigan both made strong impressions during his official visits earlier this fall. However, the atmosphere in Knoxville and Tennessee’s defensive trajectory under Heupel and Jean-Mary ultimately sealed the deal.

 

According to 247Sports, Rouse is ranked as the No. 7 linebacker nationally and a Top-100 overall player in the 2026 class. His combination of sideline-to-sideline speed and ability to diagnose plays quickly has drawn comparisons to former Vols star linebacker Al Wilson. Rouse has also earned praise for his versatility, with some analysts projecting him as a potential hybrid linebacker-safety at the next level.

 

For Tennessee, this commitment continues their recent recruiting momentum. The Volunteers have been stacking defensive talent in the 2026 class, emphasizing speed, intelligence, and physicality. Rouse joins a class that already features several blue-chip defensive prospects, giving Tennessee one of the early top-ranked defensive hauls in the nation.

 

Rouse’s high school coach, Chris Young, spoke highly of his star player’s commitment: “Brayden is a natural leader. He’s the type of player who makes everyone around him better. Tennessee is getting not just a great athlete but a great young man who’s going to thrive in that environment.”

 

For Tennessee fans, Rouse’s decision is a sign that the Volunteers are continuing to build an elite-level defense to compete in the SEC. His arrival is expected to strengthen a linebacker room that has seen steady improvement under the current staff.

 

With his commitment now official, Rouse plans to help recruit other top-tier prospects to join him in Knoxville. “I’m locked in,” he said. “Now it’s time to build something special with this class.”

 

Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class now climbs even higher in national rankings, and with the addition of Brayden Rouse, the Volunteers have once again proven they can go toe-to-toe with the nation’s biggest programs for elite talent.