Early interest from a top safety
Tennessee is already staking a claim in the 2028 football recruiting board, with five‑star safety Casey Barner sliding the Volunteers onto his list of top 15 schools.
Barner, a standout at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, is recognized by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 1 safety and the top overall prospect in the state, a distinction that has attracted attention from programs across the Power Four.
Visits and offers
The Vols extended a scholarship to Barner on August 15, 2024, and he has taken two official visits, the most recent coming on September 13, 2025, when he watched Tennessee face Georgia on the field.
Other Power Four programs have also entered the fray, offering Barner while he continues to evaluate his options, but Tennessee’s early overture positions it as a serious contender in his nascent decision‑making process.
Commitment landscape
At present, the Volunteers have secured 16 pledges for the 2027 class, a solid haul, yet they have not yet landed a commitment for the 2028 cycle, making Barner’s interest a focal point for the coaching staff.