With the 2026 recruiting cycle winding down, college football programs are already turning their attention to the top prospects in the 2027 class. One of the most notable is Cooper Witten, son of NFL legend Jason Witten.
Witten has begun scheduling his gameday visits for the 2025 season, including a key trip to an SEC showdown that could be crucial in his recruitment.
Jason Witten’s Top-Ranked Son Targets SEC Showdown for Fall Visit
Witten is already drawing a lot of buzz in the 2027 recruiting cycle. Early on, he’s rated as the No. 1 linebacker prospect in the class by On3, Rivals, and 247Sports, and is being targeted by some of the best programs in the country.
While many recruitment decisions happen during the spring official visit period, fall gameday visits are often crucial for programs to build early relationships and lay the foundation for a player’s commitment.
Witten has started planning his fall visit schedule and is expected to attend an SEC showdown in Knoxville on September 13, when Tennessee faces Georgia.
No. 1 LB Cooper Witten, the son of NFL legend Jason Witten, has locked in his next visit to Tennessee, per @SWiltfong_🍊
Witten says he also wants to visit Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Clemson, and Texas this fall.
Read: https://t.co/NzA1zVBcEb pic.twitter.com/Fm6zi6qBX3
— Rivals (@Rivals) July 28, 2025
While the visit with the Vols is the only one he has scheduled, Witten told Steve Wiltfong that he’s looking to add more.
“I am going to get to more but haven’t decided what games yet,” Witten told Wiltfong.
As Rivals points out, he has Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Clemson on his horizon for more fall visits.
The visit will be a major opportunity for Tennessee, as a win over the Bulldogs could make a strong impression on Witten early in his recruitment. He has already shown interest in the Vols, attending the team’s “Big Orange Barbecue” in May.
Read More: Jason Witten’s 5-Star Son Cooper Witten Eyes Ohio State Despite Jim Knowles’ Shocking Exit
If he were to land with Tennessee, it would make a lot of sense, as his father was the program’s tight end from 2000 to 2002. He recorded 797 receiving yards and seven touchdowns over three seasons before being selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
The young linebacker has already earned 28 offers heading into his junior season at Liberty Christian High School and has primary recruiters from Clemson, Duke, Ohio State, and Texas.
While many programs heavily covet Witten, his dad’s ties to Tennessee make the Vols a logical early favorite. A win over Georgia would help them stand out, but Tennessee will likely remain in the mix throughout his recruitment.
