Jason Witten, an Elizabeth alum and former Tennessee Volunteer and Dallas Cowboy, watches from the sidelines during the TSSAA Class 4A BlueCross Bowl football game between Tullahoma and Elizabethton held at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Kns Tullahoma Elizabethton Football Bp
Josh Heupel has made a name for himself as one of the most dynamic recruiters in college football. With his innovative offensive schemes, energized coaching style, and the resurrection of Tennessee football from years of mediocrity, Heupel has built something special in Knoxville. Now, he’s poised to take a major step forward in the 2026 recruiting class by getting a highly anticipated visit from a name that echoes throughout Neyland Stadium: Witten.
Yes, that Witten.
The son of legendary Tennessee tight end and NFL Hall of Fame candidate Jason Witten is scheduled to make a high-profile recruiting visit to Knoxville this summer. And the significance of this visit can’t be overstated — not just because of his last name, but because of what he represents: the convergence of legacy, talent, and a potential new chapter in a storied family history deeply rooted in Rocky Top.
The younger Witten, whose name is being kept somewhat under wraps for now by recruiting services as he navigates the pressure of being the son of a football icon, is already turning heads as one of the top tight ends and all-around athletes in the 2026 class. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he’s a physical specimen. But it’s not just size — it’s how he moves. Fluid. Controlled. Powerful. His route-running mirrors the discipline of a seasoned NFL veteran. His hands are soft, reliable. And the motor? That’s all Witten — relentless, hungry, and quietly intense.
Even more impressive is the maturity with which he carries himself. Coaches who have watched him at camps and 7-on-7 events rave about his coachability, work ethic, and leadership instincts. While his recruiting stock has risen with offers and interest from across the SEC and Big Ten, including Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, and Michigan, there’s something uniquely symbolic about this upcoming visit to Tennessee. It’s not just a trip — it’s a homecoming.
Jason Witten, of course, remains one of the most beloved figures in Tennessee football history. From 2000 to 2002, he carved out a legacy as a rock-solid tight end for the Vols before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and going on to have a Hall of Fame-caliber NFL career. His toughness, leadership, and clutch performances made him a favorite in both Knoxville and Dallas, but his Vol roots run deep. Witten has always spoken glowingly of his time at Tennessee, calling it the place where he “became a man” and learned the values of hard work, grit, and loyalty.
Now, his son has a chance to carry that torch.
For Josh Heupel, securing a visit from the younger Witten is more than just a recruiting win — it’s an affirmation of the program’s trajectory. In just a few short years, Heupel has transformed the culture in Knoxville. After decades of instability, Tennessee football has regained its swagger. With landmark wins over Alabama and Florida, a resurgent recruiting pipeline, and a passionate fanbase hungry for more, the Vols are once again a destination for elite talent. Heupel’s offense, which ranked among the top nationally in scoring and pace, has become especially attractive to skilled position players — tight ends included.
The younger Witten’s visit is expected to include a full tour of the program’s facilities, meetings with coaching staff, and quality time with strength coaches and current players. But perhaps most importantly, it will be about connection — about feeling the energy of Neyland Stadium, understanding the vision of the coaching staff, and gauging how he might fit into the next evolution of Tennessee football. There’s also the emotional gravity of walking through the same halls his father once did, stepping onto Shields-Watkins Field with the legacy of orange and white in every blade of grass.
Sources close to the situation suggest that Heupel and tight ends coach Alec Abeln have made the Witten family a top priority. Their message has been clear and consistent: this isn’t about pressure or legacy; it’s about opportunity. It’s about building something new on a foundation built by the past. It’s about taking that iconic last name and not resting on it — but evolving it. The younger Witten doesn’t have to be his dad. He just has to be himself. But Knoxville would give him the canvas and coaching to be great — maybe even legendary.
And let’s not ignore the impact this visit could have on other recruits. High-profile players watch where legacy kids go. It sends a message about trust. If Jason Witten — a Tennessee icon and longtime NFL veteran — trusts Heupel enough to let his son take a serious look at Tennessee, other top-tier recruits will notice. It validates what Heupel is building and cements Tennessee as a program that not only honors its past but builds toward a future that’s even brighter.
In recent years, programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State have enjoyed a pipeline of legacy players — the sons of former greats — choosing to continue their family traditions. Tennessee, thanks in part to its past struggles, hasn’t had as many of those moments. But the younger Witten’s interest could change that. It could open the door for more Tennessee legends to see Heupel’s program as worthy of continuing their family’s legacy. And if Witten ultimately commits, it would send shockwaves through the recruiting landscape.
Of course, there’s still a long road ahead. Recruiting is fluid, emotional, and often unpredictable. The younger Witten is expected to take several other visits and carefully weigh his options. He comes from a grounded, disciplined family that values character and education just as much as football. No decisions will be rushed. But there’s no question that Tennessee has a real shot — a legitimate seat at the table.
The Vols’ current roster also plays into the pitch. Tennessee has steadily developed its tight end room, and the position is becoming increasingly featured in Heupel’s fast-paced attack. Whether it’s in the passing game or as versatile blockers who can motion across formations, tight ends are finding more opportunities in this system. That kind of exposure, coupled with SEC competition and national TV exposure, is a potent combination.
For Vol fans, the thought of a Witten once again running through the T is electric. It conjures memories of past glory but also sparks dreams of future triumphs. Tennessee is on the brink of something special — and this visit could be another defining moment in that rise. If Heupel can land the son of one of the greatest to ever wear the orange and white, it would be a crowning achievement in a recruiting cycle already brimming with potential.
But more than that, it would be personal. Deeply personal. For a father who gave everything to Tennessee, and for a son trying to carve his own name, this visit represents a powerful intersection of past, present, and future. And for Heupel, it’s a chance to prove that Tennessee isn’t just back — it’s the kind of place where greatness is reborn.
Witten. Knoxville. Legacy. It’s all aligning — and this visit may just be the start of something unforgettable.
