​Tennessee Volunteers wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope has been on a recruiting tear over the past few years, and there are few signs that his momentum will falter anytime soon. Pope’s relentless approach on the trail has helped Tennessee land a steady stream of high-profile talent, and the only factor holding him back from bringing in even more elite receivers is the practical limitation of available scholarships and roster space. The Vols have been in pursuit of several top targets in the 2027 cycle, including Easton Royal and Eric McFarland, but Tennessee ultimately had to bow out in some cases because it wasn’t positioned to pursue them as aggressively as other programs due to the veteran talent already on the roster and the financial constraints tied to signing high-profile wideouts.
Looking ahead, Pope and the Vols appear poised to be major players in the 2028 cycle. It’s not surprising, then, that Tennessee has already emerged as an early contender for 2028 five-star receiver Lorenzo McMullen Jr. McMullen, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound prospect from Cincinnati, Ohio, is ranked by Rivals as the No. 4 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 11 overall prospect in the 2028 class. He’s also listed as the top player in the state of Ohio.
In an interview with On3 this week, McMullen indicated that Tennessee is among the programs he’s considering visiting this fall. “As of right now I have no dates finalized, but I plan on visiting a lot of places,” McMullen said. “Tennessee for sure, Texas, Ohio State, Michigan—really all the big programs.” While it’s still very early in McMullen’s recruitment, the early interest from Tennessee could become a significant factor if Pope and the Vols decide to pursue the Ohio native with enough aggression to stand out in the crowded field.
Should Pope and Tennessee intensify their pursuit of McMullen, the Vols could position themselves as frontrunners in a battle that already includes some of college football’s traditional powerhouses. The combination of Pope’s proven track record with developing pass-catching weapons and Tennessee’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its wide receiver corps makes the program an enticing destination for the nation’s top receivers. As the cycles unfold, Tennessee’s recruiting profile at the wideout position continues to rise, fueled by Pope’s relentless outreach, a growing cache of young talent at Tennessee, and a strategic plan aimed at bringing in the next wave of playmaking receivers.
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