Twenty-one members of the 2022 Tennessee football Volunteers squad departed the program via the transfer portal this offseason.
Of the 21, five have yet to find new homes. As for the other 16, let’s take a look at where all of them will be playing in 2023.
(Listed in order of when they entered the portal, first to last)
RB Justin Williams-Thomas
After an unproductive freshman season on Rocky Top that saw Williams-Thomas struggle with ball security and get beat out by fellow freshman Dylan Sampson for the third RB role, the former East Paulding standout entered the portal on December 5.
New Destination: California Golden Bears
Williams-Thomas originally committed to Stanford, but flipped to Cal just 12 days later.
RB Len’Neth Whitehead
Whitehead did well with the playing time he received in 2021, but an ACL tear prior to the 2022 derailed what could’ve been a strong follow-up campaign.
With Sampson emerging and Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright still leading the backfield, Whitehead entered the transfer portal on December 5.
New Destination: Georgia Bulldogs
Whitehead waited a long time before committing to his new team. An Athens native, Whitehead returned home by committing to Tennessee’s SEC East rival Georgia.
WR Jimmy Calloway
Like Williams-Thomas and Whitehead, Calloway entered the transfer portal the first opportunity he got on December 5. Calloway flashed his potential in early 2021 but ultimately never became a consistent contributor for the Vols.
New Destination: Louisville Cardinals
Calloway joins Brandon Huntley-Hatfield as recent Vols to have transferred to Louisville.
WR Jimmy Holiday
Holiday entered the portal the same day as Calloway. Holiday was a strong contributor on special teams but never saw much action elsewhere.
New Destination: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Holiday heads to WKU to catch passes from gunslinger Austin Reed in one of the most fun offenses in all of college football.
TE Miles Campbell
The fifth and final December 5th entry, Campbell was in the portal for about a month-and-a-half before transferring to a Top-20 FCS team.
New Destination: NC Central Eagles
IOL Savion Herring
No new destination.
DL Jordan Phillips
Rising redshirt freshman Jordan Phillips entered the transfer portal after one season on Rocky Top. One of the more notable departures this offseason, Phillips has a lot of upside and will look to make an impact with his new B1G team.
New Destination: Marlyand Terrapins
OT Will Parker
Nashville native William Parker entered the portal after two seasons on Rocky Top in which he barely saw the field. Parker heads South to play for former Lipscomb Academy HS head coach and Super Bowl winning QB Trent Dilfer.
New Destination: UAB Blazers
WR Walker Merrill
When the second team offense came on the field at the end of blowouts, Merrill seemingly always made a play. Merrill will look to take his collegiate career to another level in Winston-Salem.
New Destination: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
OT RJ Perry
In three years at Tennessee, Perry saw the most action in his redshirt freshman season in 2021. Now, the former three-star prospect takes his talents to the Sunshine State to play for a head coach he knows well.
New Destination: South Florida Bulls
WR Lucien Brunetti
No new destination.
CB Romello Edwards
No new destination.
LB Juwan Mitchell
Once upon a time, Juwan Mitchell was expected to lead Tennessee in tackles in 2021. After two underwhelming seasons on Rocky Top, Mitchell heads to the desert to play for first-year head coach Kenny Dillingham in Tempe.
New Destination: Arizona State Sun Devils
QB Tayven Jackson
Joe Milton III returning and the addition of five-star freshman Nico Iamaleava meant the path to playing time became very unclear for Jackson. Thus, Jackson transferred to a spot where he’ll likely be the starter sooner rather than later.
New Destination: Indiana Hoosiers
DL Amari McNeill
Upcoming redshirt sophomore Amari McNeill only saw the field in a couple of games during his two years on Rocky Top. Now in 2023, McNeill will look to make an impact out west under Coach Prime.
New Destination: Colorado Buffaloes
P Kolby Morgan
New Destination: Marshall Thundering Herd
ATH Derek Taylor
Taylor didn’t see any action in his true freshman season and is still searching for his new home.
No new destination.
DB Cameron Miller
Miller entered the portal after one season at Tennessee in which he saw very limited time. The wide receiver turned defensive back keeps his talents in-state and will look to make an impact in the AAC.
New Destination: Memphis Tigers
WR Nigel Lanier
A preferred walk-on at Tennessee, Lanier didn’t record a stat in two years at Tennessee. The Alabama native now heads to the FCS ranks.
New Destination: Grambling State Tigers
CB Jerrod Gentry
No new destination.
DL Da’Jon Terry
The final departure from Tennessee this offseason, Terry entered the portal in late May. Arguably the biggest loss via the portal for Tennessee, Terry heads back to the Big 12 to play for his third team.
New Destination: Oklahoma Sooners
