First baseman Evan Hankins announced that he was entering the transfer last week after spending just one season at Tennessee. It didn’t take Hankins long to find a new home, announcing his commitment to Virginia Tech baseball on Monday afternoon.
A Bristol, Virginia native, Hankins is heading 125 miles east to Blacksburg after spending his freshman year 115 miles west in Knoxville.
Hankins played in five games and earned one start early in his freshman season, he didn’t record a hit in six at-bats but did work a walk and score a run. The first baseman’s season ended in March when he tore his ACL in pregame warmups ahead of Tennessee baseball’s series finale at Vanderbilt.
Coming out of high school, Hankins ranked as the No. 156 player and No. 2 first baseman nationally in the 2025 recruiting cycle according to Perfect Game.
Virginia Tech posted a 30-26 (15-15 ACC) record during the 2026 season, making the Los Angeles Regional but going 0-2.
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Fourteen Tennessee players have entered the transfer portal this offseason including Hankins, outfielder Nate Eisfelder, shortstop Manny Marin, utility man Jay Abernathy, catcher Cash Williams, infielder Finley Bates, shortstop Ariel Antigua, infielder Ethan Moore, utility man Hunter High, utility man Chris Newstrom, outfielder Hutson Chance and right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel, two-way Taylor Tracey and right-handed pitcher Ari Bethea.
A number of Tennessee players have announced intentions to return for next season including RHP Landon Mack, LHP Cam Appenzeller, first baseman Levi Clark, catcher Trent Grindlinger,catcher Stone Lawless and LHP Will Haas.
The Vols landed their second transfer commit on Monday night when Northwestern State left-handed pitcher Brody Trosclair committed to Josh Elander and his staff joining Mercer two-way Braydon Kersey. Samford outfielder Jake Souders and Air Force infielder Wyatt Hanoian have also visited Tennessee this offseason.
Tennessee will remain aggressive in the portal this offseason as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2026 season.
