Tennessee football offers 2026 prospect Shavar Young, freshman athlete at Webb

As commitments from the Class of 2023 start to roll in, Tennessee football already has it sights set on the Class of 2026.

Webb freshman Shavar Young has already garnered offers from Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tulane and Vanderbilt during the offseason, but when he received an offer from the Vols on Sunday, he said it was a special moment.

"I grew up watching Tennessee on Saturdays, and my grandmother is a big Tennessee fan. I've got lots of family who are UT fans, so it feels like I'm right at home," Young said Monday. "It felt different because it's all right in my backyard."

Young, who plays both wide receiver and safety, said he likes the idea of staying close to home for college. He felt a connection with the coaching staff when he met coach Josh Heupel and wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope on an brief unofficial over the weekend.

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"I like how they're really turning the program around," he said. "Also how they interact with the kids by teaching and giving us a chance to learn."

The 6-foot, 165-pound Young played for the Webb varsity team as an eighth grader in 2021 and managed to record two touchdowns and 91 receiving yards despite playing limited snaps. He also logged two interceptions and had two kick returns of more than 20 yards.

Young said his other top college interest is Kentucky, who he has communicated with multiple times in the recruiting process. He has no official plans to take visits and is focused on building his film during the upcoming high school season.

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"I want to hopefully blow up even more," Young said. "I was surprised (by the offers). I was not expecting that, and it feels good seeing all my hard work paying off. I just have to keep working, keep building and building."

The freshman is one of several Division I prospects on Webb's 2022 roster, including four-star receiver Markeis Barrett and three-star offensive lineman Joshua Wade. The Spartans went 11-3 last season.

Contact Emily Adams at eaadams@gannett.com or on Twitter @eaadams6.