After entering the transfer portal following just one season with Tennessee football, former in-state linebacker recruit Brenden Anes is off to his new school. He committed to Western Michigan on the morning of Jan. 8.
Anes played in five games for Tennessee this season, totaling five tackles in 34 total snaps. The reserve linebacker played a season-high 12 snaps against UAB while also playing in the Vols’ wins over Syracuse, ETSU, Mississippi State and New Mexico State.
Anes ranked as a three-star commit and the No. 573 player in the 2025 recruiting cycle according to the 247sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound prospect also ranks as the No. 59 linebacker in the country and the No. 19 player in the state of Tennessee.
The former Page High School standout was a part of a talented inside linebacker class for Josh Heupel and the Vols. Tennessee signed four-stars Jadon Perlotte and Jaedon Harmon. Both played more snaps than Anes this season, and Perlotte particularly impressed.
Let’s Work!#EAT | #GRIT pic.twitter.com/juM33yNoSL
— BA | Brenden Anes (@BrendenAnes) January 8, 2026
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Anes is one of 25 former Tennessee players to enter the transfer portal this cycle. The portal does not close until Jan. 16, though, so more could enter over the upcoming days.
He is one of two players from the 2025 signing class to depart after one year, as well. Four-star edge rusher Jayden Loftin committed to Wisconsin through the transfer portal on Saturday.
Other commitments so far include Boo Carter to Colorado, Peyton Lewis to Virginia, Lance Heard and Max Anderson to Kentucky, Jordan Ross and William Satterwhite to LSU, Rickey Gibson to Texas A&M, Max Gilbert to Arkansas and Bennett Warren to Minnesota.
Tennessee has added 10 transfers through the portal so far, as well. This includes Kansas State defensive back Qua Moss, LSU offensive lineman Ory Williams, Auburn cornerback Kayin Lee, Penn State defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam, Louisville kicker Cooper Ranvier, EKU specialist Blake Howard, Penn State linebacker Amare Campbell, Penn State edge rusher Chaz Coleman, Penn State defensive back Dejuan Lane and Oklahoma State wide receiver and returner Gavin Freeman.
