Tennessee football lands commit from in-state athlete in class of 2027
By David Wasson
Published:
Jaden Butler is staying at home.
The coveted 2027 athlete has reportedly offered his oral commitment to play at Tennessee – the Volunteers’ fifth commitment in the class.
Butler, a 3-star prospect from Haywood High School in Brownsville, Tenn., chose Tennessee over offers from Indiana, Vanderbilt, Arkansas and others. He was recruited to the Volunteers by assistant coach Anthony Poindexter.
At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Butler is a multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball at Haywood. He notched 25 solo tackles, 40 total tackles, six interceptions and three tackles for loss for the 8-3 Tomcats in 2025.
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Butler also played both sides of the football, registering 31 catches for 540 yards and 11 touchdowns – all team highs – along with 503 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Butler earned the Region 8-4A Most Valuable Player award and was a TSWA All-State selection for his efforts in 2025.
Butler, the No. 23 player in Tennessee and No. 36 athlete nationally from the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite, projects mainly as a safety at the collegiate level.
Tennessee opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 at home against Furman. The Vols go to Georgia Tech on Sept. 12 and take on Kennesaw State at home on Sept. 12 before the SEC slate begins Sept. 26 with a home date against Texas.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
