Tennessee lands JUCO defensive lineman over Arkansas, Auburn
By David Wasson
Published:
The Tennessee Volunteers have secured a commitment from a talented junior college defensive lineman, landing Northeast Mississippi Community College defensive lineman Christian Mays as part of the 2027 class.
Originally from Lakewood, Colo., Mays announced his commitment to Tennessee on Saturday night over offers from Arkansas, Auburn and Mississippi State among others. He was recruited to the Volunteers by position coach Rodney Garner.
The 6-foot-5 Mays is Tennessee’s 11th commitment for the 2027 class and the second defensive lineman, joining 4-star tight end Malik Howard of nearby Oak Ridge (Tenn.) High School as Tennessee’s second commitment of the official-visit weekend.
“Tennessee just sold me off of, one, it always being a dream school to come to attend and getting the chance to come here is a no-brainer,” Mays told GoVols247. “Two, the coaching staff, they’re going to develop me into what I want and need to be and get me to the League in the time I need to get there.
“On the defensive side of the ball, they’ve got lots and lots of experience. And it felt like home. … I wasn’t 100 percent sure that I was going to do it this weekend. I just had to get here, feel it out for myself, and it just felt great.”
Tennessee finished 8-5 overall and 4-4 in SEC play in 2025. The Volunteers begin the 2026 season at home Sept. 5 against Furman (3:30 pm ET, SEC Network+), and kick off SEC competition Sept. 26 at home 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.
