{"id":689998,"date":"2026-06-07T15:32:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T15:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/689998\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T15:32:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T15:32:09","slug":"vols-rodney-garner-land-juco-commitment-to-bolster-tennessee-footballs-defensive-unit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/689998\/","title":{"rendered":"Vols, Rodney Garner Land JUCO Commitment to Bolster Tennessee Football’s Defensive Unit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\"Christian<\/a>JUCO DL commit Christian Mays. Photo via @ChristianMays23 on X.<\/p>\n

While on Tennessee\u2019s campus for an official visit over the weekend, JUCO defensive lineman Christian Mays announced his official commitment to the Volunteers\u2019 football program on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a great Official Visit, I am proud to announce I\u2019ve committed to the University of Tennessee!!\u201d Mays wrote in a social media post<\/a>. \u201cAll glory to Jesus Christ!\u201d<\/p>\n

After a great Official Visit, I am proud to announce I\u2019ve committed to the University of Tennessee!! All glory to Jesus Christ! @Vol_Football<\/a> @coach_stigers<\/a> @coachcannon97<\/a> @CoachGDavisFB<\/a> @nemcc_football<\/a> @coachg76<\/a> @CoachJaxDL<\/a> @milesrobinsonjr<\/a> #RockyTop<\/a> #HomeSweetHome<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/fnKEW7uXbB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Christian Mays (@ChristianMays23) June 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

More From RTI:\u00a0VFL Alvin Kamara Leaves Not-So-Subtle Message About Why He\u2019s In Knoxville This Weekend<\/a><\/p>\n

Mays commits to Tennessee out of Northeast Mississippi Community College. The 6-foot-5, 340-pound player originally hails from McLain High School in Lakewood, Colorado. Mays gave Tennessee its 11th commitment in the 2027 cycle by choosing the Vols over Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Auburn.<\/p>\n

Tennessee\u2019s recruiting event over the weekend was clearly a success. Mays was the second prospect to make his official commitment while on his official visit, joining Oak Ridge High School four-star tight end Malik Howard<\/a> on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Mays is now Tennessee\u2019s second defensive line commitment in the 2027 recruiting cycle, alongside four-star DL Kadin Fife from Summerville, GA. He does not have any ratings or rankings on either 247Sports or Rivals at the time of his commitment, but he does come with JUCO experience.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Tennessee veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner is listed as Mays\u2019 primary recruiter, and the new Vol commit also tagged Tennessee LEOs coach AJ Jackson and Coordinator of Recruiting Strategy Miles Robinson in his commitment post.<\/p>\n

During his lone year with Northeast Mississippi CC, Mays racked up 17 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup, according to 247Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at Tennessee Football\u2019s 2027 recruiting class after Christian Mays\u2019 official commitment on Saturday night:<\/p>\n

Four-star WR Kesean Bowman (Brentwood, TN)
\nFour-star OT Princeton Uwaifo (Murfreesboro, TN)
\nFour-star TE Malik Howard (Oak Ridge, TN)
\nFour-star DL Kadin Fife (Summerville, GA)
\nThree-star S Jaden Butler (Brownsville, TN)
\nThree-star LB JP Peace (Maryville, TN)
\nThree-star QB Derrick Baker (Alpharetta, GA)
\nThree-star CB Brandon \u201cSlim\u201d Leavell (Madison, TN)
\nThree-star CB Carter Jamison (Fairburn, GA)
\nThree-star LS Sam McKeown (Jenks, OK)
\nJUCO DL Christian Mays (Northeast Mississippi CC)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football coverage.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t