Former Tennessee football offensive lineman Ayden Bussell is back in the transfer portal. He joined West Virginia out of the portal a year ago, but took the season off to prioritize his health.
Bussell, a former in-state recruit from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, was on the Vols’ roster for two seasons before entering the portal and finding a new home with the Mountaineers. As a freshman, he did not see any game action, resulting in him earning a redshirt. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Bussell played in three games, all at right guard. Off the bench, he recorded 62 snaps for a PFF grade of 72.4 on the season.
The three games he appeared in were against Chattanooga, Kent State and UTEP, a trio of games Tennessee won handily. His finest showing was against Kent State, where he posted an 80.2 grade on PFF with an 80.3 mark in the run game.
I am officially in the transfer portal.
Praise be to the Most High God pic.twitter.com/REnUbmflf2— Ayden Bussell (@AydenBussell) January 2, 2026
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After going through spring camp with Tennessee ahead of the 2025 season, Bussell entered the transfer portal in the spring window on April 18 following the annual Orange & White Game. On May 4, he committed to West Virginia.
As a transfer, 247 ranked Bussell as a three-star prospect and the No. 1,327 player in the portal. He was also considered the No. 113 interior offensive lineman.
Out of high school, 247 ranked him as a three-star recruit and No. 51 offensive tackle. He was also tabbed the No. 19 player out of Tennessee.
At Mount Juliet High School, he helped lead the school to a 9-3 record and a region championship as a senior. He was promptly named the Region 5-5A Offensive Lineman MVP.
