Akylin Dear Cuts Recruitment Down To 12 Schools

2025 four-star running back Akylin Dear (Quitman, Miss.) has cut his recruitment to 12 schools, including the Tennessee Volunteers.

Quitman High School running back Akylin Dear is one of the top backs in the 2025 cycle. He's amassed 23 offers and tallied 2,063 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns during his junior season. Dear checks in as the No. 68 overall prospect in the cycle, according to the 247Sports' Composite Rankings, and the No. 4 running back.

He cut his recruitment down to 12 schools on Thursday. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, and Texas A&M have made the first trim. Tennessee recently hired a new running backs coach, De'Rail Sims, who is building a relationship.

Ole Miss has done an excellent job pacing the way in his recruitment. The in-state program has gotten him on campus several times over the past few years, and head coach Lane Kiffin is polling well here. The Vols already have a running back commit in the 2025 cycle, Justin Baker. However, they definitely aren't opposed to taking multiple running backs in this cycle.

2025 4-star RB Akylin Dear during an unofficial visit to Alabama. (Photo courtesy of Akylin Dear)

Tennessee's 2025 Recruiting Class

• George MacIntyre, QB
• Justin Baker, RB
• Joakim Dodson, WR
• Jack VanDorselaer, TE
• Dylan Lewis, CB
• Tyler Redmond, CB

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