National recruiting analyst hints that Tennessee Vols lead ‘by a wide margin’ for 4-star in-state recruit

A national recruiting analyst suggested this week that the Tennessee Vols are way out in front for an elite 2026 in-state four-star recruit. 

Rivals.com national recruiting director Adam Gorney noted on Monday that the rumor is that Tennessee “leads by a wide margin” for 2026 four-star tight end Carson Sneed.

“The rumor has been that Tennessee leads by a wide margin for the 2026 four-star tight end from Nashville (Tenn.) Donelson Christian Academy and that has continued in recent months as the Vols have made him a top priority,” wrote Gorney on Monday. “Missouri, Ole Miss and Ohio State are battling it out but it would be no shock if Sneed landed in Knoxville.”

Sneed, 6-foot-5/235 lbs from Nashville, TN, is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 8 tight end in the nation and the No. 4 player in the state of Tennessee.

Dayton Sneed, Carson’s older brother, is a redshirt freshman wide receiver at Tennessee.

According to 247Sports, Sneed, who isn’t expected to commit until next year, grew up liking Tennessee football.

Nothing is ever certain in recruiting, but this definitely appears to be a recruiting battle that Tennessee is going to win. In fact, it would be quite an upset if the Vols don’t land Sneed.

Tennessee doesn’t currently have any players committed to its 2026 recruiting class.