BREAKING: Four-Star Beast Dereon Albert Shocks the SEC — Commits to Tennessee! Josh Heupel Finally Spills the Beans on Massive Pick-Up
In a move that’s got the entire college football world buzzing, four-star defensive lineman Dereon Albert out of Jackson Academy just pulled the trigger and committed to the Tennessee Volunteers — and yeah, it’s as huge as it sounds. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound wrecking ball has been on just about every powerhouse program’s radar, but it’s the Vols who locked him down. And now, head coach Josh Heupel is finally breaking his silence on what went down behind the scenes.
“He’s a Game-Changer — Period.”
Coach Heupel didn’t mince words in his first public comments since the commitment dropped like a bomb on social media late last night.
> “Dereon’s the type of player who doesn’t just fill a roster spot — he transforms a defense,” Heupel told reporters. “He’s explosive, smart, relentless, and he bleeds that Volunteer mentality already.”
Let’s not sugarcoat it — Tennessee just scored a monster win on the recruiting trail. Albert, who racked up 15 sacks and 30+ tackles for loss in his junior season, is widely considered one of the most dominant D-linemen in the 2025 class. ESPN, Rivals, 247 — name a site, and he’s climbing their boards
And make no mistake: this wasn’t a done deal. Word around the campfire is that Georgia, Alabama, and even Ohio State were making heavy pushes late in the game. But Tennessee came in swinging.
“Rocky Top Just Feels Like Home”
Dereon took to Instagram Live just minutes after announcing, decked out in orange and white, with the signature Power T hat front and center.
> “Man, it just feels right,” Albert said, grinning ear to ear. “From the facilities to the coaching staff to the energy in Knoxville — it’s different. Rocky Top just feels like home.”
He shouted out defensive line coach Rodney Garner in particular, calling him “one of the realest in the game” and saying their relationship was a major factor in the decision.
Inside the War Room: How the Vols Pulled It Off
Sources close to the Tennessee program say this recruitment was months in the making. Coach Garner reportedly visited Jackson Academy three times this spring, and Heupel made it a personal priority to keep lines open with Albert and his family.
According to insiders, Tennessee’s “family-first pitch” and their vision for Albert as an immediate impact player was what set them apart.
> “He’s not coming in to sit and learn — he’s coming in to EAT,” one Tennessee staffer said. “We see Dereon as a freshman starter, plain and simple.”
And with Tennessee’s defensive front in transition, there’s a legit chance that Albert sees snaps right out the gate.
What This Means for the Vols
Let’s get real — this is a culture-changing recruit. Tennessee’s defense has had flashes over the last couple seasons, but adding a guy like Albert? That’s how you start bulldozing SEC offensive lines and sending QBs running for their lives.
Albert brings more than stats. He brings swagger. He brings leadership. He brings that dawg mentality the Vols have been hungry for.
This also sends a message to the rest of the SEC: Tennessee isn’t just trying to keep up — they’re trying to take over.
“This Ain’t the End — It’s the Beginning”
Josh Heupel closed out his presser with a confident smile and a bit of a warning for the rest of the league.
> “We’re not done yet,” he said. “Dereon’s a huge piece of what we’re building. But trust me — we’re just getting started.”
Vol Nation, buckle up. The 2025 class just landed its anchor — and the rest of the SEC better start game-planning now, because Dereon Albert is coming to wreak havoc on Rocky Top.
