Volunteers Secure Commitment From Outstanding 2026 Tight End

© Nicole Hester-The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK

Elite tight end Carson Sneed from Nashville, Tenn., has committed to play for the Tennessee Volunteers. Rivals rates Sneed as the No. 75 overall prospect in the 2026 class, the No. 5 tight end and the No. 2 player from Tennessee.

Tight ends coach Alec Abeln was the primary member of the Volunteers staff responsible for Sneed's recruitment. Sneed chose Tennessee over Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State and other top programs.

Abelin was also recently credited with flipping tight end Da'Saahn Brame from Oregon in the 2025 class. Brame, who hails from Derby, Kan., is rated by Rivals as the No. 3 tight end prospect in the 2025 class.

Elite Tight End

Sneed is 6-foot-6 and weighs 215 pounds. He is a "[t]hrowback in-line tight end," according to 247Sports. At the prep level, he has played tight end and offensive tackle. He has also played on the other side of the ball as a front-7 defender.

In his sophomore season, he caught 15 passes, 10 of which were touchdown receptions. Scouts view him as a significant red zone threat. He is a big, physical player who dominates opponents in run-heavy 2- or 3-tight-end sets. As a pass-catcher, he has proven adept at finding soft spots in zone coverage.

"UT has kind of had my heart since I was a kid because that's the team I grew up watching," Sneed told The Tennessean. "But I also approached my entire recruiting process like a business. I weighed my options, but Tennessee had the jump on everyone and just kept the lead."

Tennessee's 2026 Class

Sneed is the second elite recruit to join the Volunteers' 2026 class. Five-star quarterback Fazion Brandon committed to play in Rocky Top on Aug. 3. On3 and 247Sports both rate Brandon as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Brandon has already inked an NIL deal valued at $530,000. The value of Sneed's NIL deal has yet to be disclosed.

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