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Tennessee Football Vying for Top Wide Receiver Recruit
Five-star wideout Eric McFarland III lists Vols among his top 11 schools
Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:56pm
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Tennessee football is in the mix to land one of the top wide receiver recruits in the 2027 class, as five-star prospect Eric McFarland III has included the Vols in his top 11 schools. McFarland, a Las Vegas native who currently plays at IMG Academy in Florida, is ranked as the No. 25 overall player and No. 5 wide receiver in the 2027 cycle.
Why it matters
Landing a top-tier wide receiver recruit like McFarland would be a major coup for Tennessee's 2027 class, which already features several highly-touted commitments. Securing elite offensive talent is crucial for the Vols as they look to build on recent success and compete for championships in the coming years.
The details
McFarland, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound receiver, is known for his electric speed and playmaking ability. He is described as a 'threat to reach the end zone almost anytime he touches the ball' due to his dynamic movements and ability to transition quickly from receiver to runner. Along with Tennessee, McFarland's top 11 includes Florida, Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Kentucky, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State and UNLV.
- McFarland named his top 11 schools on April 5, 2026.
The players
Eric McFarland III
A five-star wide receiver recruit in the 2027 class, ranked as the No. 25 overall player and No. 5 wide receiver in the nation.
Dan Mullen
The head coach at the University of Florida, who has been actively recruiting McFarland to try to keep the talented receiver in his home state.
Kesean Bowman
A highly-touted four-star wide receiver commit in Tennessee's 2027 recruiting class, who is one of the top pass catchers in the cycle.
Princeton Uwaifo
A highly-ranked four-star offensive tackle commit in Tennessee's 2027 class.
Kadin Fife
A highly-ranked four-star defensive lineman commit in Tennessee's 2027 class.
What they’re saying
“'Electric offensive weapon that constantly puts defenders in conflict as he quickly transitions from receiver to runner with his speed and agility. A threat to reach the end zone almost anytime he touches the ball as he's quick to step on the gas and is extremely difficult for tacklers to corral with his dynamic movements. In the mold of a modern slot receiver given the size, but should offer plenty of alignment possibilities as he can be positioned in the backfield or hidden in bunch sets.'”
— Andrew Ivins, 247Sports Director of Scouting
What’s next
Tennessee will look to continue its push to land McFarland, who is one of the top offensive recruits in the 2027 class. The Vols already have a strong 2027 class in place, and adding a talent like McFarland would be a major boost.
The takeaway
Tennessee's pursuit of five-star wide receiver Eric McFarland III highlights the program's efforts to build a championship-caliber roster through elite recruiting. Landing a dynamic playmaker like McFarland would be a significant win for the Vols as they aim to compete at the highest level in the coming years.
