One of Tennessee football’s needs in the transfer portal was to find a running back to add to the room. While DeSean Bishop returns and Daune Morris and Justin Baker enter year two, there was a need to add someone with experience who could play right away.
The Vols have ultimately landed on Tulane transfer back Javin Gordon. While he isn’t as experienced as some of the other options, just rounding out his true freshman year with the Green Wave, his three years of remaining eligibility are certainly a plus.
Gordon totalled 516 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 128 carries as a freshman for Tulane last season. This was good for 4.0 yards per tote. He also caught 13 passes for 93 yards and a score.
Gordon played in all 14 games for Tulane this past season, including the College Football Playoffs loss to Ole Miss. He started in six of the appearances, posting a PFF grade of 72.7 on the year. His weakest area was as a pass blocker at 57.1 and he stands at just 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds.
Against the Rebels in the playoffs, Gordon took six carries for 11 yards. In the first meeting with Ole Miss, he took eight carries for 35 yards.
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This is now the second player from Tulane that Tennessee has added this cycle. He joins his former Green Wave teammate Jordan Norman, who is projected to back up Chaz Coleman out of Penn State at the LEO position.
Gordon joins a running back room that features Bishop, Morris and Baker, and could find a way to work into the mix. The Vols have liked to rotate up to three running backs in per game, but aren’t afraid to ride a hot hand either.
Bishop is projected to be the lead back next year, as well. In 2025, he totalled 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns on 182 carries through 13 games. This marked the third-straight season the Vols have produced a 1,000-yard back after Dylan Sampson and Jaylen Wright did it before getting drafted.
