by Tennessee receives a clear message from Five-Star Edge Rusher originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
If the volunteers of Tennessee want to land one of the best Rand Rushers in the recruitment class 2027, the program may want to sign outside Linebackers Coach Levorn Harborn for a different contract extension.
One of the best edge Rushers in the 2027 class and five star perspective Chris Whitehead visited Knoxville, Tennessee again last weekend. Whitehead describes that the visit is great about his chemistry with Harbin, who has the nickname ‘Coach Chop’.
“I have a very good relationship with coach Chop,” Whitehead told Matt Ray by Matt Ray this week. “He is very simple with me and he is going to encourage me to be the best.
“He pushes me that he loves me, so only knowing that he and coachbanks will be there in Tennessee, if I ever want to commit, is absolutely great to see.”
Ray reported on Wednesday that Whitehead also learned more during the visit about how he fits in with the defense of volunteers.
“So they would use me as a Leo because I am a more versatile man and can fall back and can play in coverage or I can hurry the passer -by or I can defend myself against the run,” Whitehead told ON3. “Just doing those things in their schedule can build me up even more.”
Elite Edge Chris Whitehead impressed by coach ‘Chop’, #Vols During the last visit to Rocky Top
🔗https: //t.co/lb6c5mtccdpic.twitter.com/u1y87qouzo
– Volquest Staff (@Volquest_on3) June 18, 2025
The fact that former Tennessee Edge Rusher James Pearce Jr. Just a first round Pick was in the NFL design, will not harm the chances of the volunteers to land Whitehead either.
“Knowing that they have recruited him from high school, tells me that they have kept that relationship piece, and in my mind I have the feeling that I could be in the future,” said Whitehead.
According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Whitehead is the best prospect in Virginia and no. 4 Edge Rusher in the 2027 class.
On the same ranking, he also assessed the No. 11 General Recruit for 2027.
Related: Tennessee Football gets good news about coveted player
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on June 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
