Tennessee Lands #15 Miles Blackson-Dunbar for 2026

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Alpha Aquatics’ Miles Blackson-Dunbar has committed to further his academic and athletic career at the University of Tennessee. Blackson-Dunbar was just ranked as the 15th best recruit in SwimSwam’s top 20 recruits in the class of 2026.

I’m blessed to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at The University of Tennessee. I would like to thank my family for their unwavering love and support throughout this journey. I would also like to recognize my Alpha and Crossroads coaches for always being in my corner and for supporting me and getting me to where I am today. Furthermore I would like to thank Coach Matt, Coach Rob and all of the Tennessee coaching staff for believing in me and blessing me with this opportunity. I can’t wait to start this next chapter of my life.

GO V🍊LS!!

Blackson-Dunbar competed at some of the highest levels of national meets this summer, recently earning a pair of top-three finishes at the Summer Junior Nationals (LCM) in the 50 freestyle (2nd in 22.69, a lifetime best) and 50 backstroke (3rd in 25.48, also is personal best time). Additionally, Blackson-Dunbar touched 4th in the 100 back in 56.27.

Earlier this summer, he raced at the U.S. National Championships, where he set new lifetime standards in every swim he had. Blackson-Dunbar took on the sprint double in both the freestyle and backstroke races, finishing 26th in the 50 free (22.75), 31st in the 100 free (50.95), 17th in the 50 back (25.76), and 26th in the 100 back (55.59).

The Los Angeles native set a plethora of noteworthy short-course personal bests back in December of last year. Both his 50 free (19.53) and 100 back (47.96) came at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships West, where he finished 3rd and 12th, respectively. His 100 free came at the CA/NV Winter Sectionals, where he took home the win in the 100 free in 43.39.

Best Times SCY:

• 50 Free: 19.53
• 100 Free: 43.39
• 100 Back: 47.96

The Tennessee men finished 3rd at the SEC championships last season. Based on Blackson-Dunbar’s best times, he would have just snuck into the ‘C’ final of the 50 free at 24th, and finished 37th in both the 100 free and 100 back.

Tennessee has seen plenty of success in the sprint freestyle department, but with the losses of NCAA champions Jordan Crooks and Lamar Taylor, the sprint group will need retooling, and Blackson-Dunbar fits that plan. Gui Caribe is still in Knoxville for one more season, but will be gone once Blackson-Dunbar gets on campus. Meanwhile, Nikoli Blackman still has another two.

While his current times wouldn’t make a seismic impact on the SEC landscape right now, Blackson Dunbar has been under 20.20 in the 50 free eight times since November of 2023, four of those times are sub-20 (all four have happened in the last nine months). That trajectory suggests potential for further improvement over the next 12 months before his collegiate career.

Tennessee adds Blackson-Dunbar to its 2026 recruiting class that includes Kauã Pereira, Drew Eubanks, and Whitaker Steward.

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