Five-Star EDGE Anthony Sweeney Visits Tennessee Football

2027 five-star EDGE prospect from Maryland spent a day with the Volunteers, impressed by their intensity and new coaching staff.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:33am

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Anthony Sweeney, a highly-touted 2027 EDGE prospect from Our Lady of Good Counsel in Maryland, recently visited the Tennessee Volunteers football program. Sweeney was impressed by the intensity of the team's spring practice and the connection he's quickly built with new assistant coach Andrew "Coach AJ" Jackson, who has made Sweeney a top priority for the Vols. The visit has boosted Tennessee's chances of receiving an official visit from Sweeney, who is focused on finding the right program to develop his skills.

Why it matters

Landing elite defensive prospects like Sweeney is crucial for Tennessee as they look to rebuild their program under new head coach Josh Heupel. Sweeney is a blue-chip recruit who could make an immediate impact, and the Vols are making him a top target in the 2027 class.

The details

During his visit, Sweeney was struck by the intensity of Tennessee's spring practice, noting that the team looked like they were already in midseason form despite it being just the second practice in pads. He also praised new assistant coach Andrew "Coach AJ" Jackson, who has quickly made Sweeney a priority recruit and impressed the five-star prospect with his direct communication style.

  • Sweeney visited Tennessee for a spring practice on an unspecified date in March 2026.

The players

Anthony Sweeney

A five-star EDGE prospect in the 2027 recruiting class from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Maryland.

Andrew "Coach AJ" Jackson

A Tennessee assistant coach who has quickly made Sweeney a top priority recruit for the Volunteers.

Josh Heupel

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers football program, who is working to rebuild the team.

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What they’re saying

“How they really got after it, for real. It only being the second practice in pads, man. It looked like it was their second week. I just love it up here. I just love the environment.”

— Anthony Sweeney

“I heard pretty quickly from him (Coach AJ). I was surprised; it was maybe a week into him being there (Tennessee). I can really tell I'm a high priority for him. I love his ability to connect with the guys. He doesn't ever beat around the bush; he always keeps it real. That's what I like about him.”

— Anthony Sweeney

What’s next

If Tennessee is to receive an official visit from Sweeney, their plans for his development will be a key selling point, as the five-star prospect says that is probably the most important factor for him at the moment.

The takeaway

Tennessee is making a strong push to land elite 2027 EDGE prospect Anthony Sweeney, who was impressed by the intensity of the Volunteers' spring practice and the quick connection he's built with new assistant coach Andrew "Coach AJ" Jackson. Sweeney's visit has boosted the Vols' chances of receiving an official visit, which could be crucial in their efforts to add a blue-chip defensive talent to their 2027 recruiting class.