Tennessee has a long history of pulling top out-of-state talent from Georgia, and head coach Josh Heupel has once again turned to the Peach State for a major addition to the Vols’ 2026 recruiting class.
Three-star defensive lineman Darryl Rivers out of Powder Springs, Georgia, has committed to Tennessee, giving the Vols one of the top defensive line prospects in the state. Rivers is rated the No. 60 defensive lineman nationally, the No. 56 overall prospect in Georgia, and the No. 7 defensive lineman in the state, according to 247Sports.
Hudson Standish of 247Sports praised Rivers for his impressive physical traits, noting:
“Rivers is a massive interior defensive line prospect with favorable measurables, hovering around 6-foot-4.5, 270 pounds, with 35-inch arms. He primarily lines up as a five-tech and 4i in high school, but likely transitions to a 3-tech at the next level. He shows suddenness at the line of scrimmage and has the size to absorb double teams. Rivers flashes knock-back power and utilizes his long arms to control and shed blockers. There’s some hip stiffness, but his high motor and above-average change of direction for his size make up for it. He has the tools to develop into a multi-year contributor and potential impact player.”
Rivers picked Tennessee over several Power Four offers, including Auburn, Baylor, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, and Rutgers.
He took four official visits this summer, starting with Rutgers following a May offer, then traveling to Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, and finally Tennessee. Just two weeks after his trip to Knoxville, he made his commitment to the Vols.
With Rivers now on board, Tennessee’s 2026 class ranks No. 14 nationally and is headlined by five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon and five-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda.
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