Tennessee made a clear effort to improve its staff on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. The Vols brought in Jim Knowles as the defensive coordinator, Anthony Poindexter as the co-DC and the secondary coach, and AJ Jackson as the LEOs coach, all from Penn State. Tennessee also made the move to hire former Ohio State assistant Michael Hunter Jr. as the cornerbacks coach.
But while the staff overhaul is a step forward for Tennessee, it’s only a piece in the equation. The Vols needed to grab some key pieces from the transfer portal to add to things, too.
Tennessee has nabbed 18 players from the transfer portal so far. Many of those pieces are on the defensive side of the ball, but Tennessee was wise to add to the offensive trenches with a few key offensive linemen. ESPN’s Craig Haubert tagged Tennessee with the No. 20 portal class in the country to this point. Haubert listed Tennessee above a handful of SEC foes, including No. 21 South Carolina, No. 22 Georgia, No. 23 Alabama, No. 24 Oklahoma, and No. 25 Missouri.
Tennessee is the seventh highest-ranked team from the SEC, behind No.1 LSU, No. 4 Texas, No. 7 Ole Miss, No. 8 Kentucky, No. 10 Texas A&M, and No. 11 Auburn.
When Tennessee brought in Knowles and members of his staff from Penn State, the belief was that it would help the Vols land some of the former Nittany Lions players in the portal.
“The Volunteers added Penn State defensive transfers at all three levels, led by freshman edge rusher Chaz Coleman,” Haubert writes. “The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder has some of the highest upside of any transfer in the country with an envious blend of power, speed and fluidity, though he’s still developing physically. The other former Nittany Lions added are linebacker Amare Campbell and defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam.”
Haubert also mentions Tennessee making a key addition from former Auburn cornerback Kayin Lee: “Although he has good speed and length, it’s his physicality that stands out.”
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While not mentioned because it doesn’t show up as one of the 18 incoming players, Tennessee also found a way to retain starting linebacker Arion Carter this month. Carter had previously declared for the NFL Draft, but opted to hit the transfer portal instead. Tennessee was able to find a way to make sure he didn’t end up going anywhere. He’ll play alongside transfer addition Amare Campbell, and returners Edwin Spillman, Jeremiah Telander, and Jadon Perlotte.
Haubert does mention one area where Tennessee didn’t quite make a splash.
“About the only thing missing from Tennessee’s portal haul is a veteran quarterback, though sophomore Ryan Staub got into four games with Colorado,” Haubert writes. “Five-star signal-caller Faizon Brandon and fellow five-star receiver Tristen Keys are also on the way via the high school ranks.”
Tennessee made some needed moves on the offensive side of the ball, including adding rising sophomore running back Javin Gordon and depth with 6-foot-5 tight end Trent Thomas. The Vols also replaced now-Arkansas kicker Max Gilbert with Louisville transfer Cooper Ranvier.
There are two final things worth noting here. For one, Tennessee has the No. 9-ranked recruiting class in the 2026 cycle after landing a strong group. Additionally, while ESPN has Tennessee ranked at No. 20, On3 has Tennessee at No. 19 and 247Sports has the Vols at No. 21. So, for the most part, right in the same area.
Here’s a look at all 18 players that Tennessee has added from the portal this cycle:
- S Qua Moss (Kansas State)
- OL Ory Williams (LSU)
- CB Kayin Lee (Auburn)
- DL Xavier Gilliam (Penn State)
- K Cooper Ranvier (Louisville)
- LS/LB Blake Howard (EKU)
- LB Amare Campbell (Penn State)
- EDGE Chaz Coleman (Penn State)
- S Dejuan Lane (Penn State)
- EDGE Jordan Norman (Tulane)
- S TJ Metcalf (Michigan)
- OG/OT Donovan Haslam (West Virginia)
- DB Tevis Metcalf (Michigan)
- RB Javin Gordon (Tulane)
- TE Trent Thomas (South Alabama)
- S DJ Burks (App State)
- CB/WR Isaiah Hardge (Colorado)
- QB Ryan Staub (Colorado)
