Tennessee Lands Defensive Gem as Safety Jowell Combay Commits, Reuniting With High School Teammate in Promising Vols Secondary
Tennessee football continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail, and the latest addition to the 2025 class is a testament to both player development and relationship-building. Jowell Combay, a dynamic and hard-hitting safety prospect out of Georgia, has announced his commitment to the University of Tennessee. In doing so, he becomes the latest high-profile defensive back to pledge to the Vols, and he joins a growing list of elite talent headed to Knoxville. Perhaps just as intriguing as his commitment is the fact that he will be reuniting with his high school teammate, a bond that appears to have played a major role in shaping his decision.
Combay’s commitment is a major win for head coach Josh Heupel and defensive coordinator Tim Banks, who have placed a renewed emphasis on defensive backfield versatility. With Combay’s skillset, Tennessee is not only adding an instinctual ballhawk but also a tone-setter on the back end of the defense. At 6-foot-1 and roughly 190 pounds, Combay combines physicality with range, making him the type of player who can line up in various roles across the secondary.
Coming out of Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, Georgia, Combay was already on the radar of multiple SEC and national programs. Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, and Florida were all vying for his signature, and Combay took multiple visits over the spring and early summer. However, it was Tennessee that steadily built a rapport with the rising senior, with visits to Knoxville helping to solidify his relationship with the coaching staff. Sources close to Combay’s recruitment indicate that the visit he took alongside his former high school teammate — who committed to Tennessee earlier this year — made a lasting impression.
That teammate is four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley, who had nothing but praise for the Tennessee program since his commitment. Beasley, who shares a close friendship with Combay both on and off the field, reportedly encouraged the safety to consider joining him on Rocky Top. The duo formed a fearsome tandem in the defensive backfield during their time at Langston Hughes, leading the team to multiple playoff runs and a state title. Recreating that chemistry at the next level could prove invaluable for the Vols’ secondary, which is seeking to elevate its play against the pass-heavy attacks found throughout the SEC.
For Tennessee, Combay’s commitment reflects a broader shift in defensive recruiting. While the Vols have long been known for offensive firepower under Heupel, there’s been a concerted effort to upgrade the speed, depth, and IQ on the defensive side of the ball. The 2025 class now includes several defensive standouts, with Combay ranking among the most physically gifted. His ability to play center field, cover slot receivers, and contribute in run support checks multiple boxes for a defense that has struggled at times with consistency.
Watching Combay on tape reveals a safety with both violence and vision. His read-and-react ability is advanced for his age, and he often finds himself in position to make game-changing plays. In his junior season alone, Combay recorded over 75 tackles, 5 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and a touchdown on defense. Additionally, he showcased his athleticism on special teams and even moonlighted as a wide receiver in certain offensive packages. It’s that type of versatility that appeals to Power Five programs, and it’s what made Tennessee pursue him relentlessly throughout the process.
One of the key components of Combay’s decision appears to be Tennessee’s evolving defensive identity. Under Banks, the Vols have shifted toward a more aggressive, multiple-front scheme that places heavy responsibility on the secondary to disguise coverages and create turnovers. Combay’s football IQ and leadership traits fit well into that model, and the coaching staff reportedly sees him as someone who could compete for early playing time once on campus.
In interviews following his commitment, Combay highlighted his conversations with the Tennessee coaching staff and the welcoming environment in Knoxville as key factors in his decision. “It just felt like home,” Combay said. “Every time I visited, I could see myself living there, going to class, working with the team. It’s a family atmosphere.” He also noted how much he values the opportunity to play alongside his former teammate again, calling it “a dream come true.”
As much as the personal connection mattered, Combay’s decision also comes down to development. Tennessee has recently sent multiple defensive backs to the NFL and has emphasized individual growth as part of its pitch to elite recruits. Players like Alontae Taylor and Kamal Hadden have become examples of how the program can mold DBs into next-level talent, and Combay is eager to be part of that lineage. His trust in the coaching staff’s development plan, particularly in areas such as film study, strength training, and positional versatility, reportedly played a large role in sealing the deal.
The reaction from Vol Nation was immediate and emphatic. Fans across social media platforms celebrated Combay’s announcement, noting not only the talent he brings but also the ripple effect it may have on other recruits. As of now, Tennessee is in the running for several other defensive backs in the 2025 cycle, and Combay’s presence could help sway others to follow suit. Recruits notice when top players commit, and Combay is viewed within recruiting circles as someone whose presence can elevate the rest of a class.
The Vols’ defensive backfield is quickly becoming one of the more intriguing position groups in the SEC. With young talent already on the roster and an incoming crop of elite recruits like Combay and Beasley, the unit is poised for a leap in the coming seasons. There’s still work to do in solidifying the depth chart and identifying future starters, but the trajectory is encouraging.
What stands out about Combay, beyond the athletic profile and film, is his mentality. Coaches often refer to him as a “film rat” — a player who’s obsessed with understanding scheme, anticipating route combinations, and improving each week. That mindset is something Tennessee’s staff covets, especially as they look to build a defense that can match their offense’s high-octane identity.
It also doesn’t hurt that Combay is a natural leader. Teammates and coaches alike rave about his locker room presence and work ethic. He’s known as someone who holds others accountable, who’s vocal in both praise and correction, and who leads by example. That kind of leadership is crucial, particularly in a conference where mental lapses can cost you games.
Now that Combay is in the fold, Tennessee can turn its attention to complementary pieces in the secondary and front seven. The Vols still hope to land a few more blue-chip defenders to round out the class, and Combay’s commitment gives them even more ammunition on the recruiting trail. It’s not out of the question to think that his decision could lead to a domino effect, especially among defensive players from Georgia and neighboring states.
There’s also a deeper story here about program culture and the power of relationships. Tennessee didn’t just win Combay over with facilities or NIL promises. They built trust. They sold a vision that Combay and his family could believe in. They demonstrated consistency through months of communication, visits, and genuine investment in his future. That type of recruiting is what sustains a program for years, and it’s what turns verbal commitments into long-term buy-in.
For now, Combay is focused on finishing his senior season strong, helping Langston Hughes contend for another championship, and preparing for early enrollment at Tennessee. He’s excited, he says, about playing in front of 100,000 fans at Neyland Stadium, about wearing the orange and white, and about the opportunity to compete at the highest level. “This is just the beginning,” he said after announcing his commitment. “I’m ready to get to work.”
Tennessee fans should be excited too. In Jowell Combay, they’re not just getting a high-upside safety — they’re getting a tone-setter for the future of their defense. And if the chemistry between him and Beasley translates at the college level the way it did in high school, the Vols may have found the foundation of a secondary that could help them contend for championships.
