Tennessee went the junior-college route for its 11th football commitment of the 2027 signing cycle, receiving a nonbinding pledge from massive defensive tackle Christian Mays from Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Massive as in 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds.
Mays became Tennessee’s second commitment of the weekend from a Knoxville visitor, joining Oak Ridge High School four-star tight end Malik Howard. The visitor list for the Volunteers included Baylor School five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, who has scheduled a July 22 announcement reveal, and Chattooga High School defensive tackle Kadin Fife, who committed to Tennessee in late November.
“Tennessee just sold me,” Mays told 247Sports.com. “It’s always been a dream school to come attend, and getting the chance to come here is a no-brainer. Also, the coaching staff is going to develop me into what I want and need to be and get me to the NFL 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% sure that I was going to do it this weekend. I just had to get here and feel it out for myself. It just felt great.”
Mays picked the Vols over scholarship offers from Arkansas, Auburn and Mississippi State. As a freshman last season at Northeast Mississippi, he tallied 17 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack.
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Though he finished his high school career in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, Mays was born and raised in Georgia, so Tennessee will not be unfamiliar territory.
“Growing up, I always heard about Tennessee football,” he said. “It’s in the SEC. It’s a Power Four school. It’s just a dream come true to be able to play in one of the biggest stadiums and on one of the biggest stages in college football.”
Mays plans to enroll at Tennessee in January.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.