Five-star EDGE rusher D.J. Jacobs, 247Sports’ top prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, is weighing his options despite a long-standing commitment to Ohio State, with Tennessee emerging as a serious contender to flip the elite athlete before signing day. While Jacobs has been pledged to the Buckeyes since December 2025, recent activity suggests the race is far from over, Rocky Top Insider reported.
For Tennessee, landing Jacobs would be a significant move, signaling their ability to pull a top prospect away from a powerhouse recruiting program like Ohio State.
Tennessee Uses Family Ties to Recruit Jacobs
Brian Smith, host of the Locked On Transfer Portal podcast, recently shared insights on the Locked On (Miami) Canes show regarding Jacobs’ current mindset. According to Smith, the financial incentives involved in this recruitment have reached a point of saturation—essentially, the money is “insane” across the board.
Tennessee has a specific advantage in this regard. The Vols’ defensive line is led by Rodney Garner, who coached Jacobs’ father during his own playing days at the University of Georgia. The physical proximity to Jacobs' family in Roswell, Georgia, provides a logistical and emotional pull that Tennessee is leaning into heavily.
Smith said he recently spoke with someone close to Jacobs and his family who warned to watch out for Tennessee, noting that they are still open to opportunities.
Jacobs' recent travel highlighted the volatility of the situation. Just last weekend, the prospect was in Miami to witness the Hurricanes dominate Pittsburgh 52-23. Smith noted that Miami was previously considered a definite possibility, proving that Jacobs is actively auditing the best defensive environments in the nation before making his final call.
On-Field Performance as a Recruiting Tool
On3’s Steve Wiltfong previously noted that Tennessee’s actual performance during the season would be “pivotal” to their chances of landing Jacobs. The Vols have delivered on that front, establishing one of the most aggressive defensive units in the country. Under Jim Knowles, the defense has seen a dramatic transformation, appearing significantly more effective than the unit seen during Tim Banks’ final season in 2025.
The numbers back up the hype. Tennessee currently leads the nation with 35 sacks this year. For a five-star EDGE rusher like Jacobs, the opportunity to join a defense that leads the nation in sacks this year is a powerful draw. He has already experienced the energy of the program firsthand, visiting Knoxville in September for the game against Texas. Although the Vols didn’t secure a victory that day, the atmosphere at Neyland Stadium and the defensive effort provided a tangible glimpse of the program’s ceiling.
The Counter-Argument: The Ohio State Gravity
Despite the momentum in Knoxville, it is easy to underestimate the gravity of Ohio State. The Buckeyes aren’t just a recruiting program; they are a machine. Having held Jacobs’ commitment since late 2025, they have had nearly a year to build a foundation of trust and integration.
If Tennessee successfully flips Jacobs, it suggests that the performance of the defense under Jim Knowles is a key factor in the recruitment. If Jacobs stays with the Buckeyes, it reinforces that some commitments are strong regardless of family ties or the “insane” offers from other schools.
As the calendar turns toward signing day, the window for Tennessee to execute this improbable flip is closing. With the Vols fighting to secure a spot in the 12-team playoff field, their final games will serve as the ultimate sales pitch. Whether the pull of Georgia proximity and Rodney Garner’s history is enough to overcome the Buckeye commitment remains the most entertaining question in the 2027 cycle.
