Tennessee Makes Push to Flip 4‑Star DB Zyan Gibson from Alabama
The Tennessee Volunteers are mounting a serious attempt to flip 4-star defensive back Zyan Gibson, currently committed to Alabama, ahead of his official visit to Knoxville. Gibson, a 5‑foot‑11, 177-pound cornerback from Gadsden City High in Alabama, is widely heralded as one of the nation’s top prospects for the 2026 class. He ranks as high as No. 8 among corners and No. 54–67 overall across major recruiting platforms .
Gibson officially pledged to the Crimson Tide on Christmas Eve 2024, selecting Alabama over Tennessee, Auburn, and Miami . During a ceremony at his high school, he famously swapped out a Volunteers hat for the crimson and white of the Tide.
But the Vols aren’t backing down. According to recruiting insider Chad Simmons from On3, Gibson has scheduled an official visit to Tennessee for June 13 . The visit is more than a goodwill gesture—the Vols have consistently pursued Gibson from the outset, a relationship the recruit openly admired .
“He’s been talking about how Tennessee’s success with true freshmen, from Boo Carter on special teams to other early contributors, impressed him,” said Gibson to Rivals. “I love the environment there—the energy, the coaches, their facilities” . He visited Rocky Top multiple times last season, including for wins over Alabama and Kentucky .
Despite his firm commitment to Alabama, Gibson hasn’t closed the door on Tennessee. He’s acknowledged that the Vols recruiting effort “says a lot” and that their consistent outreach—keeping in touch “day one”—remains meaningful .
Alabama, too, is aggressively pursuing Gibson. He’s an in-state product who has visited Tuscaloosa on numerous occasions for marquee games like the Iron Bowl and Alabama’s clash with Georgia . His ties to the program run deep: his father, Michael, was an Ole Miss lineman, and Gibson has admired Tide cornerbacks coach Maurice Linguist as well as Kalen DeBoer’s willingness to play freshmen .
But Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and his staff are making this flip their top priority. With a strong recruiting class already in the SEC, the Vols see Gibson as a dynamic playmaker capable of not only contributing early but also potentially impacting the game on special teams .
Now, all eyes turn to mid-June. Will Tennessee’s energy, early playing opportunities, and committed pitch be enough to sway Gibson away from his Alabama pledge? Or will the Crimson Tide solidify their claim on one of the SEC’s elite defensive back prospects? The answer lies in Knoxville in just a few short weeks.