Latest on Tennessee Recruiting: Ament, Freeman, and Rice
By Pablo Cong
Here's a quick update on where the Tennessee Volunteers stand with three key prospects: Nate Ament, Elyjah Freeman, and Rodney Rice. With momentum building in Knoxville, Rick Barnes and his staff are pushing to assemble one of the most talented rosters in program history.
Nate Ament: Five-Star Forward Trending Toward Tennessee
Nate Ament, a 6-foot-9, 185-pound forward out of Highland High School in Virginia, is a consensus top-five player in the 2025 class. Known for his elite versatility and smooth perimeter game, Ament has narrowed his list of finalists to Louisville, Duke, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
Lately, the Vols are gaining serious traction. Tennessee may now be leading the race, as Duke—once considered the most significant threat—has reportedly cooled on Ament due to the high price tag tied to his recruitment. While those reports are unconfirmed, it would be unwise to count Duke out entirely, considering the Blue Devils have recruited Ament hard over the last two years.
BREAKING: 5 ⭐️ PF Nate Ament has received a Crystal Ball to Tennessee from Travis Branham at 247 Sports
— Vol Scoops (@VolScoops) April 17, 2025
Ament is currently ranked the No. 2 Power Forward and No. 4 Player nationally on @247Sports
This would be one of the BIGGEST commitments in Tennessee Basketball history 🤯 pic.twitter.com/3WtapL96bM
Expect a resolution soon, as his decision could come within the next week. If Tennessee secures a commitment, Ament would be the highest-rated recruit in program history—a potential cornerstone player for the future.
Elyjah Freeman: Surprise Commitment to Auburn
Elyjah Freeman, a 6-foot-8 freshman forward from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, made an immediate impact in his debut season. Averaging 18.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, Freeman earned South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the D2CCA All-Region Second Team.
His recruitment started with a bang, drawing interest from high-major programs before going quiet for a stretch. Then, in a surprise move this past Saturday, Freeman committed to Auburn. Bruce Pearl and his staff pulled off a major coup by landing one of the country's most coveted Division II transfers—adding depth, size, and skill to their frontcourt.
Rodney Rice: Vols Still in the Mix for Experienced Guard
Rodney Rice remains active on the recruiting trail and is currently taking visits, with USC up next on his itinerary. Eric Musselman will make his pitch to bring the talented guard to the West Coast, but Tennessee is still very much in the hunt.
The Vols hope to add Rice to their backcourt alongside recent commitment Ja'Kobi Gillespie, forming a dynamic and experienced guard tandem. If Barnes can seal the deal, it would be another strong piece in a growing puzzle positioning Tennessee as a serious national contender.
Stay up to date on Vols recruiting all offseason on the new Locker Room Access Tennessee forum. And take the time to learn about our partner Fan Fund, the credit card that gives back to your favorite student-athletes.