Three-Star WR Tyran Evans Decommits from Tennessee Football’s 2026 Class

Tennessee football has suffered a hit to its 2026 recruiting class, as three-star wide receiver Tyran Evans announced his decision to decommit from the Volunteers. The Cornelius, North Carolina native made his decision public via his personal Twitter/X account on Thursday, citing thoughtful consideration and prayer in the process.

“After a lot of prayer and thought, I’ve decided to decommit from the University of Tennessee,” Evans wrote in his statement. “Thank you to Coach Heupel, Coach Kelsey Pope, Coach Joey Halzle, and the entire Vol staff for believing in me. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and my family.”

Evans, who plays at Hough High School in Cornelius, originally committed to Tennessee earlier in the recruiting cycle and was considered a solid early piece in Josh Heupel’s 2026 class.

Known for his agility and speed, Evans had begun to attract attention from a number of Power Five programs, and his decommitment is likely to heat up his recruitment once again.

Listed as a three-star prospect by most major recruiting services, Evans brings strong potential as a slot or outside receiver thanks to his smooth route-running and reliable hands. Though not yet rated among the elite prospects in the country, his skill set and upside have made him a name to watch in the Southeast and beyond.

For Tennessee, Evans’ departure marks the first significant loss from their 2026 recruiting class. While the Volunteers still hold several promising commitments, Evans was one of the more vocal early pledges and had helped build momentum for the class. His decision to step back from his commitment may prompt a recalibration of Tennessee’s wide receiver targets moving forward.

Recruiting at the wide receiver position has been a point of emphasis for Heupel and his offensive staff, particularly under the leadership of wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope. With Tennessee’s high-tempo, pass-friendly offense, the Vols remain an attractive destination for playmakers. While losing Evans stings, there’s optimism within the program that Tennessee can still land top-tier talent to fill the gap.

As for Evans, he did not specify a new list of schools under consideration, but it’s expected that programs across the ACC and SEC will re-engage with the talented North Carolina product. His recruitment is likely to intensify over the coming months, especially once the 2025 season kicks off and he continues to showcase his abilities at Hough High.

With his recruitment now back open, Tyran Evans becomes one of the more intriguing wide receiver prospects to monitor in the 2026 class. As the college football landscape continues to shift, expect plenty of interest to come his way — including possibly a return to Tennessee down the line.