Tennessee has secured a commitment from four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II, a standout recruit from Brentwood Academy who had originally pledged to Alabama. His decision marks a significant reversal in a recruitment that had drawn attention across the SEC.
A Family Legacy
Simon’s father, Kevin Simon, wore a Tennessee jersey from 2001 to 2005, giving the young prospect a personal connection to the program that likely influenced his final choice.
Recruitment Journey
Purdue was the first school to extend an offer, but the list of suitors soon expanded to include Kentucky, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Nebraska, Auburn and a host of other power-conference programs. Alabama offered on September 3, 2025, and Simon committed to the Crimson Tide on May 11 before flipping to Tennessee. He visited the Vols eight times unofficially, the most recent on June 13, 2026.
Impact on the 2027 Class
The commitment brings Tennessee’s 2027 class to 14 pledges, underscoring the coaching staff’s ability to retain top talent within the state and to sway high-profile recruits from traditional power programs.
Coaches say Simon’s blend of size, speed and football IQ should address the Vols’ need for depth at linebacker, and his arrival could accelerate the team’s defensive schemes as early as his freshman season.