The Tennessee Volunteers have their eyes on several standout running backs for the 2026 recruiting class. Recently, five-star running back Savion Hiter included Tennessee in his top four schools and announced plans for an official visit to Knoxville later this year. However, Hiter isn’t the only high-profile prospect the Vols are pursuing.
Four-star running back Messiah Mickens, currently committed to Penn State, is reconsidering his college decision. Mickens had built a strong connection with Penn State’s former running backs coach, Ja’Juan Seider, who has since left for Notre Dame. As a result, Mickens is now exploring other options, including Tennessee. Alongside the Vols, Notre Dame, North Carolina, and Missouri have also entered the mix as potential landing spots.
Mickens remains committed to Penn State for now, but the uncertainty surrounding Seider’s departure has opened the door for other programs to make a push. Tennessee sees Mickens as a valuable target, ranking him as a four-star prospect, the 11th-best running back in the nation, and the 115th overall player in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
So far, Mickens has received offers from 26 programs, and for a time, it appeared that he was a lock for Penn State, expected to sign during the Early Signing Period next December. However, with Seider leaving for Notre Dame, the recruitment process has become more uncertain. The Fighting Irish seem to have an edge in potentially flipping Mickens’ commitment, but Tennessee is making a strong effort to remain in the race.
Head coach Josh Heupel and his staff are keen on adding top-tier talent to their roster. While the Vols are already prioritizing Savion Hiter, they may be open to securing both highly regarded running backs if the opportunity presents itself. The coaching staff is expected to continue recruiting Mickens aggressively, showing him strong interest throughout the process.
One key factor in Tennessee’s pursuit of Mickens will be getting him to visit their campus. If the Vols can host him for an official visit, their chances of flipping his commitment could significantly increase. With the recruiting landscape shifting, Tennessee remains determined to compete for Mickens and potentially bring him to Knoxville.
