A standout kicker joins the Vols
Ford Fehling, a four‑star kicker from Waxhaw, North Carolina, announced his commitment to the University of Tennessee on June 9, 2026, after a recruiting journey that also featured interest from Iowa and Coastal Carolina.
The Vols’ special teams coordinator Evan Crabtree served as the primary recruiter, guiding Fehling through a camp experience that highlighted his leg strength and precision.
Head coach Josh Heupel welcomed the addition, noting that Fehling’s skill set aligns with the program’s long‑term vision.
Ranked No. 42 nationally among the class of 2027, Fehling arrives as one of sixteen pledges and joins longsnapper Sam McKeown, the top‑ranked long‑snapper in the country.
At the 2025 Kohl’s National Scholarship Camp, he posted a 92.35‑point punt rating, a 44‑yard ball with 4.21 seconds of hang time, and a 108.83‑point kickoff score, earning a four‑star rating on Kohl’s Kicking.
His high school, Marvin Ridge, has prepared him for the next level, and his family’s support has been a constant throughout the process.
The commitment underscores Tennessee’s growing momentum in the 2027 recruiting cycle, a cycle that also sees the arrival of specialists like McKeown, who hails from Jenks, Oklahoma.