Middle Tennessee’s high school football recruiting landscape has shifted with players who have decommitted from their original schools.

Not Tennessee football commit Carson Sneed, a four-star Class of 2026 tight end at DCA. He’s enjoyed the calm that comes from knowing exactly what he wants.

“It’s been Tennessee from the second or third time I made a visit (to Knoxville) and I haven’t thought about anywhere else,” Sneed said after helping guide DCA to a 38-0 win over Tipton-Rosemark in the first round of the TSSAA Division II-A football playoffs Friday.

Sneed had a breakout game, catching seven passes for 134 yards. DCA (9-2) will travel to Friendship Christian at 7 p.m. next week in the state quarterfinals.

“It’s been a little bit frustrating because I haven’t had the production that I want for myself,” said Sneed, who committed to the Vols in August. “It’s really just self-inflicted pressure.”

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end has had to muscle through double teams and sometimes triple teams. He came into Friday’s game with 23 receptions for 272 yards and six TDs. But Tipton-Rosemark (6-5) didn’t follow that plan, leaving Sneed open all over the field.

“The first thing I’d say to Tennessee fans excited about getting Carson Sneed is you’re getting a team kid that has attributes that are out of this world that when given the opportunity to have other Power 4 guys around him, where he’s not having four or five eyes on him, he’s going to be just fine. And he demonstrated that (Friday),” DCA first-year coach Jay Pierce said.

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Sneed is the seventh-ranked prospect in the state for the 2026 class, and the No. 11 tight end in the nation, according to 247Sports Composite. He also holds offers from Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and Oregon among others.

Sneed said he talks with Tennessee’s coaching staff at least twice a week and has developed a close relationship with tight ends coach Alec Abeln, who has kept Sneed anchored to what’s important when frustration sets in.

It’s also the reason why Sneed isn’t worry about joining recent decommits like Brentwood Academy defensive lineman Stephon Shivers (from Georgia), Antioch’s Ta’khyian Whitset (from Purdue) and Page linebacker Brenden Anes (from Wisconsin).

“It’s tough for recruits because a lot of schools will keep coming at you and tell you what they can do for you,” Sneed said. “Every player is different and everyone has their reasons. You have to do what’s best for you. What’s best for me has always been Tennessee so there’s no worry there.”

Sneed, who has been to every game at Neyland Stadium this season, said he plans to travel to Knoxville Saturday for the Vols’ SEC game against Mississippi State.

“I’ve committed to place where I’m going to be happy, and I truly believe that,” Sneed said. “I can’t wait to get there.”

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Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.