Tennessee Commit Recruits Cousin to Join Volunteers
Commit Brandon Leavell is actively working to bring his cousin, highly-rated cornerback Jermaine Cobbins, to Knoxville.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Football
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University of Tennessee commit Brandon Leavell attended the Volunteers game against Alabama alongside his cousin, top-ranked prospect Jermaine Cobbins. Leavell is now leveraging their family bond to persuade the Springfield High School star to join the Tennessee football program.
Why it matters
Securing a commitment from a high-profile recruit like Cobbins would be a significant win for Tennessee, as the Volunteers look to capitalize on the peer-to-peer recruiting efforts of their current commits.
Jermaine Cobbins holds the No. 1 ranking in Tennessee and is currently rated as the No. 18 prospect nationally among the 2028 recruiting class. He is also ranked as the No. 3 cornerback in the country according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
The players
Brandon Leavell
He is a committed recruit for the University of Tennessee football program who is active in scouting for the team.
Jermaine Cobbins
He is a highly sought-after cornerback from Springfield High School who belongs to the 2028 recruiting class.
Anthony Poindexter
He serves as a member of the University of Tennessee football coaching staff involved in player recruitment.
Derek Jones
He is a coach for the University of Tennessee who works on evaluating and securing prospective student-athletes.
The details
Cobbins currently holds offers from elite programs including Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Notre Dame. Tennessee coaches Anthony Poindexter and Derek Jones are leading the recruitment of the Springfield High School standout.
Timeline
Brandon Leavell and Jermaine Cobbins visited Neyland Stadium for the Alabama game in October 2026.
Season Trajectory
This effort represents a pivotal shift in the 2028 recruiting class cycle as programs increasingly rely on player-led advocacy. Securing Cobbins would strengthen the future competitive balance of the Volunteers' defensive backfield against perennial SEC rivals.
Tennessee faces stiff competition from major programs like Alabama and Georgia that have also extended offers to Cobbins. His eventual decision will impact the Volunteers' defensive depth chart and overall recruiting ranking for the 2028 cycle.
The takeaway
Recruiting dynamics often rely heavily on the personal connections established between current pledges and prospective athletes. Fans should look for future campus visits from Cobbins as a primary indicator of his potential commitment to Tennessee.
Further reading
For more updates on the program, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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