Three-star safety Jowell Combay and four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse pledged to the team.

Three‑star safety Jowell Combay and four‑star linebacker Brayden Rouse both recently pledged to join Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class, marking a powerful double addition to the Volunteers’ defensive core. Despite being graded differently in the recruiting hierarchy, both players bring unique qualities and untapped potential that align with Tennessee’s evolving defensive philosophy. This narrative seeks to weave together their individual journeys, strengths, fit with the program, and what their arrivals signal for the future of Volunteer football.

Born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Jowell Combay emerged as a cerebral and instinctive playmaker during his high school years at Kell High School. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing around 192 pounds, Combay doesn’t rely on overwhelming physical traits. Rather, he compensates with smooth movement, sharp angles, and football IQ that enables him to diagnose plays quickly and make decisive breaks on the ball. Rated a three‑star recruit by recruiting services like 247Sports and Rivals, he ranks as roughly the No. 71 player in Georgia, the No. 49 safety nationally, and approximately No. 635 overall

Combay’s pledge to Tennessee was announced during a ceremony at his high school, where his high school teammate Brayden Rouse had committed just a day before . His decision to follow Rouse to Knoxville speaks to their bond and mutual confidence in the Vols’ development track under defensive coordinator Tim Banks. In public statements, Combay remarked on Tennessee’s ability to develop defensive backs with a blend of athleticism and technique, and emphasized his chemistry with teammates and coaches.

What Combay lacks in elite size or elite speed, he makes up for in anticipation, positioning, and ball skills. Game film reveals a safety who instinctively reads the play before it fully develops, takes smart angles downhill, and reacts with precision. Scouts highlight his ability to stay low, open his hips smoothly, and tackle in space — attributes often overlooked in lengthier, more physical safeties. One 247Sports analyst noted that he brings a reliable, instinctive dimension to the secondary with “plenty of promise” .

When Tennessee’s secondary logged six commits in early July, Combay emerged as a key piece who could solidify depth behind veteran safeties. Rocky Top Insider described his pledge as signaling Tennessee’s serious investment in sharpening instincts and playmaking across the secondary. With two years of college-level technique coaching, his profile suggests a secondary safety who can routinely disrupt crossing routes, serve as a backup in the red zone, and align for special teams coverage.

Brayden Rouse brings a contrasting skill set as a prototypical four‑star linebacker. Also a product of Kell High School, Rouse stands 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, projecting toward a sturdy 225‑to‑235‑pound frame at the college level. His recruiting résumé includes top‑100 national status and admiration from both Rivals and On3

Rouse’s recruitment was intense, with Alabama among the final contenders vying for his signature . In bulldozing through the gauntlet of Power Five offers, he demonstrated lateral fluidity, play-speed, and downhill burst sufficient to disrupt both run plays and screens. He’s praised for coverage aptitude matching tight ends, dynamic blitz potential, and sideline‑to‑sideline range. His film often shows sideline scrapes, explosive closing to the ball carrier, and effective shed‑and‑strike technique — qualities Tennessee coveted under a pressure‑oriented defensive scheme.

When Rouse committed to Tennessee, analyst commentary centered on his football intelligence and “incredible relationships” within the program that eased his decision (On3). Tennessee’s linebacker corps, long blessed by elite play, welcomed Rouse’s early entry as a chance to inject positional talent continuity with players like Buck Burnette and Jelani Matthews ahead of upcoming classes.

Evaluating both players side by side provides a layered understanding of their future impacts. Combay, despite his three‑star label, offers savvy play recognition and dependable ball‑hawking instincts—cornerstones for a coversafety role or dime sub-package defender. His film suggests a player mature beyond his physical measurements. His ability to analyze alignments, drift toward threats, and engage in passing lanes reflects a player who could thrive in coverage-heavy schemes. For Tennessee, fostering him with Red‑shirt freshman plans, physical development, and situational reps could unlock performance exceeding his three‑star ranking.

Rouse, on the other hand, enters as a higher-ceiling four‑star athlete embodying the modern linebacker prototype: length, speed, and versatility. He is equally comfortable as a first‑read run stuffer, off‑tackle blitzer, or coverage blanket. His recruitment status and physical trajectory suggest he could arrive on campus already within competing range for early playing time, especially in packages needing athletic 3‑downs defenders. His strengths align with Tennessee’s blitz‑heavy formations, where the ability to disguise drop‑and‑go responsibilities adds strategic value.

Together, Combay and Rouse reflect Tennessee’s holistic defensive build. Combay meets the cerebral secondary need—instinctive reads, smooth coverage, and smart tackling. Rouse offers raw athleticism in midfield, the kind that absorbs double‑team attention, enhances edge‑pressure, and limits fast‑break plays. Tennessee’s coaching staff will likely lock arms with them as pillars of a robust 2026 defense, each reinforcing the other’s capabilities.

Both players also exemplify Tennessee’s recent recruiting momentum. According to 247Sports and On3 composite rankings, Tennessee’s 2026 class stands 13th nationally and fifth in the SEC (Rocky Top Insider). With 21 commitments and a balanced mix of star ratings—one five-star, ten four-star, and ten three-star—they cast a wide net across talent and position depth. Combay and Rouse effectuate Tennessee’s commitment to defensive excellence, complementing high-profile names like five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon and four-star offensive tackle J.B. Shabazz (On3).

Tennessee’s recruiters excelled in relationships. Rouse cited “incredible relationships” and comfort in the Orange & White environment when making his pledge (On3). Combay’s alignment reinforced that supportive ecosystem. Often, sibling or teammate visits foster deeper connections—Kell High School clearly beans flavors from Tennessee’s environment, fueling multiple commitments within 48 hours.

Projecting forward, both players have redshirtable profiles. Combay’s polish in film may give him a redshirt redemptive scenario, treating him like a professional project. He’ll dive into perimeter run fits, coverage reads, and special teams before entering dime or base alignments. His tackling instinct and ball skills make him a candidate for rotational packages by year two.

Rouse may challenge for an early spot without redshirting. His athletic grade suggests he can fill sub‑package linebacker roles in passing downs, weigh‑down packages, and middle defense. If developed with bulk and strength, he could enter 3‑down rotations by year two. His coverage versatility strengthens Tennessee’s defensive adaptability, especially in coordinating linebacker-modeled coverages like Cover 2 or Cover 3.

These commitments resonate beyond individual trajectory—they ripple through the position group by elevating standards and creating synergy. Combay and Rouse’s shared high school background builds camaraderie. Their alignment on style and character fosters locker-room energy. And their successive pledges announce to future recruits that Tennessee is building something bigger than isolated star power—a culture anchored in bonds, growth, and mutual advancement.

Defensively, Tennessee’s 2025 foundation—bolstered by newcomers like Combay and Rouse—appears set to rebound in a conference where defensive discipline matters. The Vols haven’t just loaded up on high-end names; they’re blending IQ, athleticism, and special teams depth across star ratings. Combay checks intellectual safety boxes; Rouse delivers raw speed and blitz ability. United, they personify defensive complementarity.

In conclusion, Jowell Combay and Brayden Rouse fit beautifully together and within Tennessee’s defensive arc. Combay’s shrewd, instinctual safety profile provides cerebral depth; Rouse brings dynamic linebacker traits that energize the front six. Their talents, background, and commitment bolsters Tennessee’s pursuit of a dominant 2026 defense. These selections—three star and four star—don’t merely stack abstract rankings; they reaffirm a recruiting strategy hinged on personality, process, and positional purpose. Tennessee fans can watch closely as these two mature, collaborate, and carve out their roles under the fluorescent lights of the SEC.