3S Jowell Combay has chosen Tennessee over South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Additionally, he had offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, and other schools
Jowell Combay, a 6‑foot‑2, roughly 190‑pound safety from Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia, concluded one of the more watched recruiting sagas of the Class of 2026 on July 9, 2025, when he announced his commitment to the University of Tennessee. That moment represented the culmination of a recruitment that saw multiple Power Five programs—especially SEC and Big Ten schools—vie for his services. Among his finalists were South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, and Wisconsin. In addition, Combay held offers from prominent football powers such as Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida, Oklahoma State, and others
From early in 2025, Combay emerged as a breakout defensive back prospect. Early offers included one from Georgia, described as a “special” in‑state offer that highlighted his rising profile . He would go on to amass more than thirty major offers over the course of the spring and summer, joining suitors such as Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Missouri, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida, Oklahoma State, and more—each expressing interest in his instincts, size, versatility, and developmental potential
By mid‑June, Combay had narrowed his list to five finalists: Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. Reports confirmed his recruitment would conclude with a decision on Tuesday, July 9, 2025, making that day a focal point for recruiting observers His official visit timeline included Wisconsin on June 13, South Carolina and Missouri in early June, and Tennessee on June 20. He had also previously made an unofficial visit to Georgia in May—though Georgia’s safety commitments depth left questions about his future fit there (Volquest).
During visits with each finalist, Combay evaluated not only playing time and style fit, but also developmental pathways on and off the field, culture, and the ‘family‑like’ environment that felt true to his core values. At South Carolina, he praised the coaches and atmosphere as genuine and consistent, noting Coach Torrian Gray’s ability to relate and teach, and describing the staff’s culture as authentic rather than superficial recruiting rhetoric (SI). He also emphasized his priority was personal and football development, wanting to feel at home even far from Marietta (SI).
Combay also spoke candidly about Georgia. Despite a prestigious hometown program, he felt uncertain due to the Bulldogs already having multiple safeties committed; he stated “you tell me what that means,” hinting at concerns with depth chart and opportunity (SportsTalkSC). Indeed, Georgia already had two or more safeties committed long before, which may have contributed to his lessening interest in remaining in‑state despite the program’s prominence.
Tennessee made a lasting impression. From his March spring practice to the “865 Live” event in May and his official visit on June 20, Combay felt continually prioritized. He highlighted feeling that the coaching staff—Coordinators Tim Banks, Coach E.T., Coach Nez—made a point to connect, and he described Tennessee’s energy as contagious. He appreciated how Tennessee positioned him as a high priority and how relationships built over time made him comfortable with the program dynamic and vision for his role in the secondary (SportsTalkSC, On3).
On the field, Combay was praised for his range, instincts, and ability to play single‑high safety or rally downhill as a run defender. Evaluators noted he tracks like a center fielder, jumps routes and reacts quickly in coverage. One coach described him as a “missile” in the secondary who, with continued physical development, could grow into an imposing 220‑pound presence at the next level (SI). At On3 he held a three‑star rating and was ranked inside the top 55 players in Georgia and among the top 50 safeties nationally; the 247Sports composite placed him around No. 608 or No. 635 nationally, No. 54 safety, and inside the top 70 in Georgia depending on final tabulation (Rocky Top Insider).
Meanwhile, Missouri had courted Combay aggressively, including offering him official visits. Combay and his Kell High teammate, linebacker Tony Forney Jr., both considered Missouri—Forney ultimately committed to Mizzou, while Combay did not. Reports noted the Tigers lost another promising defensive recruit with Combay’s decision, leaving Missouri to refocus on other defensive options in the 2026 class (Yardbarker). South Carolina remained hopeful after Combay’s visit, with coaches seeking to build momentum, but ultimately they came up short in matching Tennessee’s total package (SI).
Wisconsin made an early play as well. Combay took an official visit there June 13. Though the school offered a strong developmental climate and Big Ten stability, the pull of SEC football, coaching connection, and geographic proximity likely influenced his decision to choose Tennessee instead (Volquest).
Beyond the finalist group, Combay held offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida, Oklahoma State, and others. Though those schools did not make his final five, the breadth of his offer list underscored his national quality and interest level from high‑profile programs across the country (Yardbarker, GamecockCentral).
By choosing Tennessee, Combay became the latest safety to bolster a Volunteers secondary class that had already gained significant momentum. Tennessee had secured over twenty commitments in the Class of 2026—this was the twentieth or twenty‑first, depending on the timeline—and the class ranked around No. 13 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC, according to 247Sports team metrics. His pledge followed that of fellow Kell High standout and four‑star linebacker Brayden Rouse, who committed to Tennessee the day before Combay—signaling a small Kell High mini‑pipeline to Knoxville (Rocky Top Insider).
Immediately after his commitment, analysts praised the pick as Tennessee landing a physical, instinctive safety prospect with upside to develop. His tape—shown in highlight reels—featured difficult receptions both in coverage and in run support, underscoring his range and ball‑skill ability. Combay’s ability to handle multiple roles in the secondary—including playing man and zone, covering tight ends, and rallying from the box—made him a versatile piece for defensive coordinator Tim Banks’s scheme (Rocky Top Insider, SI).
Following his commitment, the possibility of Combay flipping remained. Miami reportedly entered the picture in late July, offering and attempting to persuade him to switch commitments. Combay had posted on social media that Miami’s coaching had extended an offer as well. Despite that, Tennessee held firm believing Combay was locked in. Still, the specter of a late flip lingered as head coach Mario Cristobal had previously flipped other Tennessee commits earlier in the cycle. Thus Tennessee staff would need to affirm their relationship with Combay ahead of signing day to ensure the pledge held (All for Tennessee).
To summarize what Tennessee secured: a high‑priority recruit who valued development, culture, energy and coaching connections. Combay repeatedly said he wanted somewhere that felt like family—even far from home—and where he could improve both personally and athletically (SportsTalkSC, SI, On3). Tennessee, through repeated interactions and persistent in‑person and remote engagement, delivered that impression more than Clemson, South Carolina or Wisconsin. Missouri was strong in outreach, but ultimately Tennessee delivered the stronger total package. Georgia’s depth and limited immediate fit pushed him off that path, even though it would have been his most local opportunity.
His selection over South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, and Wisconsin underscores Tennessee’s growth as a recruiting presence under the current staff. Beating those programs to a regional three‑star safety prospect with upside not only improved the Vols’ depth chart but also served as a statement of program momentum in a competitive recruiting region (Rocky Top Insider).
The decision also had implications on the depth chart at Kell High; his teammate Tony Forney committed to Missouri, but Combay crossed to a nearby SEC rival, strengthening Tennessee’s ties in that Georgia talent pipeline. Tennessee’s recruiting trajectory in 2025, particularly in the Southeast, made Combay’s addition feel like the latest win in a surging class that included other incumbents and regional prospects alike
Recruiting analysts described Combay as a rising three‑star who could be molded into a “Power Four caliber safety prospect,” one with both physical tools and football IQ that may outperform his initial ranking if developed properly on campus (Rocky Top Insider). His ranking—somewhere between three‑star, top‑700 nationally, top‑50 safety, depending on service—reinforced both that he was a notable prospect and that there remained upside for growth and tapering is common in the secondary.
Beyond the measurable traits, Combay’s stated evaluation criteria were consistent: personal development, cultural fit, authenticity, relationship with coaches, and feeling at home no matter how far away from Georgia. His scouting seemed less about immediate roster status than about long‑term trajectory—Tennessee’s developmental pitch aligned with that. South Carolina made a similar offer on culture and development; Missouri emphasized opportunity; Wisconsin offered Big Ten tone and structure; Georgia was his home state but depth chart risk limited immediate impact. Tennessee captured the best mix of these factors in his eyes
His July 9 decision was reported widely by recruiting outlets. Yardbarker, SportsTalkSC, Rocky Top Insider and SI’s coverage noted the details of his offer list and finalists. Yardbarker called it Missouri losing “another promising defensive recruit” to an SEC opponent, indicating a trend of missed targets for Tigers football in that clas. SportsTalkSC summarized that South Carolina missed out on multiple in‑state stars that week, including Combay. Rocky Top Insider highlighted Tennessee landing one of the region’s rising safety prospects over several SEC competitors, describing the recruit’s instincts, range, and ball skills in their evaluation
Immediately afterward, Tennessee’s 2026 class moved up in the national rankings, as Combay became the twentieth or twenty‑first member and increased depth in the defensive backfield. His addition lifted Tennessee from No. 14 to No. 13 nationally and from No. 6 to No. 5 in the SEC, according to 247Sports team composite rankings at the time of his commitment
Combay’s decision marked not just a personal milestone, but a symbol of Tennessee’s recruiting strategy: establishing footholds in Georgia, prioritizing player‑first coaching relationships, and stacking defensive recruits with developmental upside rather than relying solely on high‑star volume. As Combay enters campus, he joins other Tennessee safety commits like Luke Thompson and KJ McClain, plus cornerbacks Zay Anderson, Jamyan Theodore, Javonte Smith, forming a growing group to rebuild Tennessee’s secondary for the coming seasons
With his vow of “I’m just getting started #AGTG” in social media comments following his decision, Combay revealed confidence and anticipation for his Tennessee journey (Yardbarker). He likely understands that from a starting point of a three‑star rating and No. 608‑635 national ranking, much remains to be earned on the field, but Tennessee seems committed to investing in his growth physically, mentally, and tactically.
While other programs will aim to surpass Tennessee in years to come, for now Combay’s choice over South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, Wisconsin, and all the other suitors represents a clear example of how a recruit’s evaluation criteria extend beyond star rating: culture, alignment, development pathway, and personal fit rising above mere program prestige or local convenience.
In sum, Jowell Combay’s recruitment and commitment to Tennessee over other major programs reflects the outcome of deliberate evaluation from both player and staff. He believed Tennessee offered the strongest combination of relationship, coaching, player development, fit, culture and competitive environment. Tennessee in turn believed that Combay offered a long‑term secondary building block—a physical safety with instincts, versatility, and untapped upside. In doing so, the Volunteer program not only added a key recruit but also signaled growing momentum in one of recruiting’s most competitive regions.
That journey from Keller High standout to Tennessee commit shows the modern recruiting reality: star rankings matter, but so does fit, trusted relationships, player development philosophies, and the vision cast by coaches. For Combay, Tennessee checked those boxes better than South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, Wisconsin—or any of the other Power Five schools that had previously sought him.
