This off-season, college football saw one of the wildest transfer portal cycles yet. Tennessee football was heavily involved in the mix, including some big-name additions and departures.
On Thursday morning, with nearly all the movement finalized, CBS’s Cooper Petagna released his top-100 transfers of the cycle. This included a pair of Vols signees in the top-50, edge rusher Chaz Coleman at No. 7 and defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam at No. 43. Both join from Penn State and follow defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Coleman just completed his freshman year with the Nittany Lions, and though he wasn’t very productive statistically, showed flashes of greatness. This hype started in high school, as he was considered a four-star recruit, No. 293 player in the 2025 class and No. 31 edge by 247.
As a freshman, Coleman produced eight tackles, a sack, forced fumble and fantastic PFF grade of 81.1 on the season.
“Unquestionably the biggest projection of this cycle, Coleman logged just 150 snaps as a true freshman while posting one of the nation’s top pass-rush win rates on a per-snap basis, per PFF,” Petagna wrote. “An athletic specimen with rare traits off the edge, Coleman reunites with Jim Knowles in Knoxville.”
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Gilliam joins for his redshirt-sophomore season after beginning his career with Penn State, as well. In 2025, he recorded 16 tackles, half a sack and a forced fumble. His PFF grade was at a solid 62.0 on the year.
Now, Gilliam has the chance to crack the starting lineup for Tennessee on the interior of the defensive line. He is the lone defensive tackle brought in through the portal and joins a young but talented group in Knoxville.
“A redshirt freshman last season for the Nittany Lions, Gilliam emerged under Jim Knowles in year two, logging over 400 snaps while flashing high-level activity and athleticism along the interior defensive line,” Petagna wrote. “A nimble mover at nearly 300 pounds, Gilliam is positioned to take a sizable step forward after banking valuable reps in just his second season.”
In total, Tennessee has announced the signing of 20 transfer portal commitments, with UT Martin tight end Drake Martinez also verbally committed. The Vols’ transfer portal movement ranks No. 21 in the country, via 247.
