After a rough stretch as Tennessee football’s starting place kicker, Max Gilbert entered the transfer portal. Not long after entering, Gilbert has landed on his feet and is remaining inside the SEC. According to a report from Matt Zenitz, Gilbert has signed to play for Arkansas.
Gilbert spent three years in the Vols’ program and a pair as the team’s starting kicker. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Now, Tennessee will see Gilbert on its schedule next season. The Vols and Razorbacks will meet in Fayetteville on Oct. 10. A kickoff time and TV designation are yet to be determined.
Gilbert was solid during the 2024 season, making 20-of-26 field goal attempts as he overcame a midseason slump to finish the year strong. However, things went poorly for Gilbert and Tennessee’s kicking game in 2025.
The Memphis native made 14-of-19 field goals, but Gilbert missed a number of key attempts. The most notable was the potential game-winning field goal in Tennessee’s narrow loss against Georgia in September.
Gilbert also missed a 37-yard field goal in Tennessee’s 33-27 loss against Oklahoma. The miss was all the worse in comparison as Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell made all four of his field goal attempts, including three from over 50 yards. Gilbert also missed a 39-yard field goal in the Vols’ 30-28 loss against Illinois in the Music City Bowl.
Arkansas has signed Tennessee kicker transfer Max Gilbert, @chris_hummer and I have learned.
Was the Vols’ starting kicker the last two seasons. pic.twitter.com/h1AsvLL0yl
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 4, 2026
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Gilbert finished his redshirt sophomore season making 4-of-10 attempts less than 40 yards, 4-of-6 attempts between 40 and 50 yards and 2-of-3 attempts over 50 yards.
After a poor season, Gilbert and Tennessee going their separate ways makes a lot of sense for both sides. Josh Turbyville was the Vols’ kickoff specialist and backup kicker and punter in 2025. However, Tennessee will likely look to the transfer portal to find Gilbert’s replacement. UT also has true freshman kicker Grady Dangerfield on the roster.
Gilbert was a rare high school kicking addition to Tennessee’s roster. The Vols landed Chase McGrath from USC and Charles Campbell from Indiana earlier in Josh Heupel’s tenure.
