Tennessee isn’t taking its foot off the gas in the transfer portal, and the Vols’ secondary overhaul may not be done just yet. After pulling in 15 commitments already - including a flurry of four on Saturday - the staff in Knoxville is still working the phones and scheduling visits.
The latest name to watch? Former Ohio State defensive back Cody Haddad.
Haddad hit the portal on the final day of the window, January 16, after spending one season in Columbus. While he didn’t see the field during his freshman campaign, he redshirted and now enters the next chapter of his college career with four full years of eligibility remaining - a rare and valuable asset in today’s transfer-heavy landscape.
According to reports, Haddad is already lining up visits, and Tennessee is firmly in the mix alongside Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas A&M. For a program that’s made it clear it wants to build depth and versatility in the secondary, Haddad could be a compelling piece of the puzzle.
Coming out of Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School, Haddad was a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 53 safety in his class by 247Sports. He was also listed as the No. 25 overall prospect in the state of Ohio - not a small feat considering the talent that comes out of that region every year.
What makes Haddad intriguing is his versatility. He played all over the field in high school - safety, corner, even some receiver - and his athletic profile reflects that.
He’s got a track background that shows up in his closing speed, and his ball skills hint at that time spent on offense. He’s physical, instinctive, and not afraid to come downhill and mix it up in run support.
While he’ll need to add some weight and strength to fully thrive at the Power Five level, the foundation is there for a player who could fit into multiple roles in a modern defense.
Tennessee, for its part, has already made significant moves to reshape its defensive backfield this offseason. The Vols have brought in experienced talent from around the country, including Kansas State’s Qua Moss, Auburn’s Kayin Lee, Penn State’s Dejuan Lane, and the Metcalf twins - TJ and Tevis - from Michigan. That’s a deep and diverse group, and it gives Tennessee flexibility in how it wants to deploy its secondary.
And don’t forget: the Vols also return key contributors in Edrees Farooq and Ty Redmond, who bring continuity and leadership to a unit that’s looking to take the next step.
Adding someone like Haddad wouldn’t just be about plugging a hole - it would be about stacking talent and building a room that can rotate, adapt, and match up with the increasingly complex offenses across the SEC. He’s a developmental piece with upside, and in today’s game, those are the types of players that can quietly become difference-makers over the course of a season.
The Vols are clearly building something in the defensive backfield - and they’re not done yet.