While the Vols have done a nice job of replenishing talent and bolstering position groups through the transfer portal this month, Tennessee still lost its fair share of players to the transfer portal in January. Most of those players have found their next program, with some even landing on the Vols’ upcoming 2026 schedule this fall.
Tennessee lost both rotational players and starters, with some potential projected starters in the mix as well. Ultimately, the Vols saw 29 players enter the transfer portal this month, although linebacker Arion Carter did wind up returning to Tennessee to bring that number down to 28. Wide receiver Amari Jefferson and lineman Trevor Duncan are the only two ex-Tennessee players who have yet to announce a portal commitment or signing.
ESPN’s Max Olson, Steve Muench, and Tom Luginbill put together a list of the Top 100 transfer portal players on Friday. Tennessee had three incoming players and three outgoing players on the list.
Tennessee’s highest-rated outgoing player was offensive tackle Lance Heard, who landed with Kentucky. Heard was a day-one starter on the Vols’ offensive line after transferring in from LSU before the 2024 season. The 6-foot-6 tackle put together his best overall season in 2025.
“This is a major get for Will Stein and his staff as they build out their first portal class in Lexington,” Olson writes. “The Wildcats went to the portal last year for both of their starting tackles, Shiyazh Pete and Alex Wollschlaeger, and were willing to spend what it took to add a premium SEC starting tackle for Year 1.”
Tennessee will host Heard and the Wildcats on Nov. 7 next season in Neyland Stadium.
More From RTI: Where Tennessee’s Transfer Additions Land in ESPN’s Portal Rankings
The next highest-rated Tennessee departure is former five-star EDGE rusher Jordan Ross, who landed with Lane Kiffin’s LSU Tigers. Ross is ranked as the No. 71 overall player in the portal. The 6-foot-5 EDGE rusher played at Tennessee for two seasons but had an increased role as a sophomore in 2025. He racked up 23 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks for the Vols last season.
“Ross’ ranking is a big bet on his potential,” Olson writes. “He has all the physical tools to be a big-time pass rusher in the SEC but hasn’t totally flipped the switch yet. He’ll have every opportunity to earn a starting role across from Umanmielen.”
Ross and the Tigers will play in Neyland Stadium on Nov. 21 next season.
The final Tennessee player who lands on ESPN’s Top 100 list is cornerback Rickey Gibson III, who comes in at No. 76 in the rankings. Gibson ended up transferring to Texas A&M after spending three seasons in Knoxville. The six-foot cornerback began the season as one of the Vols’ starting cornerbacks and projected to be one of Tennessee’s top defensive playmakers. He put together a nice season opposite from Jermod McCoy in 2024 and looked set to build on that year. Gibson was sidelined for nearly the entire season after suffering a season-ending injury against Syracuse in the opening game, though.
“Will Lee III going pro created a vacancy in the Aggies’ starting lineup that Gibson should take over opposite Dezz Ricks,” Olson writes. “If he can return to form after being sidelined for a year, he’ll be another premium piece for a Texas A&M defense that shouldn’t take a step back in 2026.”
Tennessee will travel to College Station on Nov. 14 next year to take on Gibson and the Aggies at Kyle Field.
The Vols’ three incoming players who landed on ESPN’s list include EDGE rusher Chaz Coleman at No. 13, cornerback Kayin lee at No. 53, and defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam at No. 98. For more on those three additions, click here.
Check out Max Olson’s full Top 100 transfer portal players list for ESPN here.
