Jim Knowles is back in the SEC - and back in the spotlight - as he takes the reins of Tennessee’s defense after a short and rocky stint at Penn State. The Volunteers are betting big on the veteran coordinator, and early returns from the transfer portal suggest that bet might be paying off.
Tennessee’s defense was a glaring weak spot in 2025, finishing 92nd nationally and playing a major role in the team’s slide to an 8-5 record just one year removed from a College Football Playoff appearance. That drop-off cost former DC Tim Banks his job, and head coach Josh Heupel didn’t waste time bringing in Knowles to stabilize - and ideally elevate - the unit.
So far, Knowles has hit the ground running. The Vols have reeled in one of the most impressive defensive transfer hauls in the country during the January portal window, signaling a full-scale rebuild on that side of the ball. It’s not just about quantity either - there’s real quality in the names Tennessee is bringing in.
At the back end, Michigan safety TJ Metcalf headlines the additions. He’s a playmaker with range and physicality, the kind of presence Tennessee lacked last season.
Joining him is Dejuan Lane, who played under Knowles at Penn State and brings familiarity with the system. That pipeline from Happy Valley didn’t stop there - defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, linebacker Amare Campbell, and edge rusher Chaz Coleman all followed Knowles to Knoxville.
Coleman, in particular, brings serious juice off the edge and will pair with Tulane transfer Jordan Norman to form a potentially disruptive duo for opposing quarterbacks.
In the secondary, Tennessee added former Kansas State defensive back Qua Moss and Auburn cornerback Kayin Lee - two more experienced, versatile defenders who can contribute immediately. These additions help offset the loss of several young players who entered the portal after Banks’ departure, and they give Knowles a veteran core to build around as he installs his scheme.
Now, the challenge is cohesion. Talent alone doesn’t win in the SEC - especially on defense.
But if Knowles can get this group to gel quickly, there’s a legitimate path for Tennessee to climb back toward the top of the conference defensively. The pieces are there.
The question is whether Knowles can pull it all together in time.
It’s fair to say Knowles’ reputation took a hit during his brief time at Penn State. Despite a roster loaded with blue-chip talent, the Nittany Lions’ defense underwhelmed, raising questions about how much Knowles benefited from the elite personnel he had at Ohio State. The contrast was stark - while Knowles’ former unit in Columbus continued to thrive, giving up more than 20 points just once all season, his Penn State defense struggled to find consistency.
But college football careers are rarely linear. Knowles had a strong final year with the Buckeyes, enough to earn back-to-back jobs at two of the sport’s most tradition-rich programs. Now, he has a fresh start under an offensive-minded head coach in Heupel who’s shown he can win big in the SEC - if the defense holds up its end of the bargain.
This is a pivotal moment for both Knowles and Tennessee. The Vols have the offensive firepower to compete, but if they want to get back into the playoff picture, the defense has to take a major step forward.
Knowles has been handed the keys to that turnaround. The roster is being reshaped in his image.
The talent is coming in fast.
Now it’s about results.