While the hiring of new defensive coordiantor Jim Knowles meant an overhaul of the roster, there are still multiple key pieces that Tennessee football wanted to hold onto for the new system. High on the list, if not the top priority, was star linebacker Edwin Spillman.
On Tuesday evening, the rising redshirt-sophomore signed a deal to return to the Vols in 2026, according to a report from Pete Nakos of On3. The NIL compensation Spillman will receive on the new deal was not disclosed.
Spillman broke out as a star this past season for the Vols’ struggling defense. One of the bright spots on a bleak unit, Spillman posted a team-high 81 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception. He was named to the 2025 The Athletic Freshman All-America Second-Team and the 2025 SEC All-Freshman Team as voted on by coaches for the year.
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Spillman played in just four games as a true freshman as he battled through injury. In that time, he produced six tackles and played in the College Football Playoffs game against Ohio State.
He is from Nashville, Tennessee, where he played for Lipscomb Academy. He was teammates with Kaleb Beasley, who signed the the same year as him to join the Vols. However, Beasley announced he will enter the portal on Monday night. He is also the younger brother of former Tennessee receiver Nate Spillman, who since transferred out, as well.
Edwin Spillman is projected to start next to incoming Penn State transfer Amare Campbell next season. Campbell already knows Knowles’ system from his time with the Nittany Lions, and could be a critical piece of not just the linebacker room, but entire defense adjusting.
Other backers that are likely to factor into the rotation include senior Jeremiah Telander and sophomore Jadon Perlotte. UT also returns Ben Bolton, Jaedon Harmon and Jordan Burns. Incoming freshmen include high-four-stars Brayden Rouse and TJ White.
