BREAKING: Five-star, in-state CB target confirms his commitment to Tennessee over Auburn, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech
Tennessee is firmly in the mix for one of its top in-state targets in the 2026 recruiting class. Four-star cornerback from Ensworth School in Nashville, Tenn., revealed his top 12 college choices on social media Wednesday, and the Vols made the cut. Five SEC programs, including Tennessee, Auburn, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Missouri, are vying for the 5-foot-10.5, 170-pound defensive back, alongside Georgia Tech, Iowa, Maryland, West Virginia, Minnesota, Duke, and Indiana.
Hopkins, ranked No. 266 overall and the No. 18 cornerback in the 2026 class by the 247Sports Composite, is also Tennessee’s ninth-ranked junior prospect. The Vols offered Hopkins a scholarship in April during his visit for a spring practice, and he has since visited Knoxville multiple times, including the spring-ending Orange and White Game and Tennessee’s summer camp in June.
His most recent visit to Neyland Stadium was on October 19, when he attended Tennessee’s thrilling win over Alabama. Hopkins called the environment “electrifying” and “scary,” citing the passionate fanbase and intimidating atmosphere as major factors in his admiration for the program. “I don’t understand how a quarterback can throw a ball on third downs against this defense,” he remarked.
Hopkins’ familiarity with Tennessee extends beyond his visits. He has strong ties to the program, with several former and current Vols defensive backs hailing from Nashville or his alma mater. Former Ensworth players Andre Turrentine and William Wright are now at Tennessee, and Hopkins shares a close bond with Wright, who has been a mentor to him. Additionally, Hopkins has relationships with freshman cornerback Kaleb Beasley and defensive lineman Ethan Utley, a fellow Ensworth alum and recent Tennessee signee.
While Hopkins remains high on other programs like Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Georgia Tech, Tennessee’s combination of a supportive community, competitive football atmosphere, and personal connections has kept the Vols at the top of his list. “Tennessee is still Tennessee,” he said, emphasizing the allure of staying in-state and joining a program with a strong network of familiar faces.