Tennessee’s Surprise Offer to Alabama’s 2027 Defensive End Sparks Major Recruiting Buzz

Tennessee’s on the move, already laying the groundwork for its 2027 football recruiting haul — and on Tuesday, they extended a scholarship offer to defensive end Marquis Evans. Now, this kid isn’t yet a household name in the recruiting circles; no star ratings from 247Sports, Rivals, or On3. But size and potential loom large: standing 6-foot-5 and tipping the scales at 230 pounds, Evans hails from Minor High School over in Adamsville, Alabama. It’s interesting to see how the Vols are staking their claim early, especially since Vanderbilt jumped in first with an offer back in January. A handful of other programs — South Carolina, UAB, Troy, Jacksonville State, Mississippi State, Alabama State, and Western Kentucky — are also circling, making this a bit of a tactical recruitment chess match. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s 2027 class has yet to lock in any commitments, though the 2026 crop is already starting to take shape with some high-profile names like Faizon Brandon and Tyreek King in the fold. The groundwork is being laid — and it’s shaping up to be an intriguing journey for Tennessee’s future on the gridiron. LEARN MORETennessee does not have any commitments in its 2027 recruiting class. Tennessee has seven commitments for its 2026 recruiting class: Quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver Tyreek King, tight end Carson Sneed, offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda, wide receiver Tyran Evans, linebacker Braylon Outlaw and defensive lineman C.J. Edwards.Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).The 6-foot-5, 230-pound prospect is from Minor High School in Adamsville, Alabama. He has not accumulated any recruiting rankings from 247Sports, Rivals or On3.Vanderbilt was the first school to offer Evans a scholarship on Jan. 22, 2024. Other schools to offer Evans a scholarship include South Carolina, UAB, Troy, Jacksonville State, Mississippi State, Alabama State and Western Kentucky.

Tennessee is working toward its 2027 football recruiting class. The Vols offered a scholarship to defensive end Marquis Evans on Tuesday.

“All glory to God,” Evans announced. “Truly grateful and blessed to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee.”