Josh Heupel's Tennessee secures commitment of elite wide receiver to the Class of 2026

Three-star wide receiver Tyran Evans committed to Tennessee's 2026 class on Sunday. The standout prospect from William Amos Hough High School (North Carolina) chose Josh Heupel's program over South Carolina, Florida State, USF, Florida, NC State and Miami, among others.

The 6-foot-3, 170-pound prospect is the second North Carolina recruit in Tennessee’s 2026 class, joining five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. The Volunteers have found significant success recruiting from the region, highlighted by recent standouts like edge rusher James Pearce and 2025 class signee David Sanders.

After transferring to Hough High School before his junior year, Evans had a phenomenal season in the competitive Queen City 3A/4A Conference. He recorded 36 receptions for 980 yards and 14 touchdowns this year.

Evans joins four-star wide receiver Tyreek King from Knox Catholic High School (Knoxville, TN) in Tennessee’s 2026 class. With his commitment, the Volunteers now boast seven recruits in the 2026 cycle, propelling the school to the No. 1 spot in the Southeastern Conference and No. 3 nationally.

Tyran Evans opens up about his commitment to Tennessee

Wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope was the lead recruiter for Tyran Evans at Tennessee, and the prospect mentioned the relationship with his future position coach as one of the reasons for choosing the Vols.

“Pope reminds me of my high school coach a lot and we have a great connection," Evans told On3.

Evans picked up his Tennessee offer on Nov. 5 and made two visits to Knoxville, including the gameday visit to the Vols' 56-0 win over UTEP on Nov. 23 and an unofficial visit on Dec. 14.

Besides Pope's effort, Evans mentioned the recruitment pitch from other Tennessee coaches, alongside the program's offense and quarterbacks, as the reasons behind his commitment.

Evans is the No. 96 wide receiver in the 2026 class and the No. 566 prospect in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

Tennessee is also targeting one of his high school teammates and four-star cornerback Samari Matthews. The in-state North Carolina and South Carolina are the leaders in his recruitment so far, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. However, Evans may actively pursue Matthews to join him in Knoxville.