The recruiting trail is heating up.
Tennessee strengthened its secondary this week with two new additions, securing commitments from KJ McClain and Luke Thompson. McClain, a New Jersey native, announced his decision earlier in the week.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, safety prospect KJ McClain is ranked No. 602 nationally in the 2026 class by 247Sports and is the No. 8 player in New Jersey. He chose Tennessee over several other programs, including Texas A&M, West Virginia, Michigan State, Rutgers, and Boston College.
Tennessee followed that up on Saturday by landing another safety, Luke Thompson. The 6-foot, 175-pound defender becomes the tenth commitment in the Vols’ 2026 class and hails from the midstate region. Thompson comes from a Tennessee legacy, as both of his parents were track and field athletes for the Volunteers, and his grandfather played football for the program.
Now, the three-star prospect will carry on the family tradition in Knoxville.
Thompson is rated as the No. 590 overall prospect in the 2026 class by 247Sports and ranks 17th in his state. He held offers from programs like MTSU, Air Force, Army, Arkansas State, UConn, and several others.
A standout on the track as well, Thompson has reportedly posted a 4.41-second time in the 40-yard dash. While there was some consideration of him playing wide receiver — a position both his father and grandfather played — the coaching staff ultimately projects him as a safety.
With his commitment, Tennessee currently sits at No. 27 in the early 2026 class rankings. That number could shift soon as the wave of official visits continues.
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