Tennessee Reloads Through the Portal: Five Additions Bolster Depth Across the Board
While much of the college football world was tuned into the NFL playoffs or locked into marquee matchups on the hardwood, Tennessee Football was quietly stacking up reinforcements. In the span of just nine hours on Saturday, the Vols landed five transfer portal commitments-each one filling a different need, and each one bringing something unique to the table.
From the trenches to the secondary, and even the backfield, Tennessee made moves that speak to a clear offseason strategy: add experience, versatility, and depth. Let’s break down the new faces heading to Knoxville and what they bring to Josh Heupel’s roster.
9:20 a.m. - OL Donovan Haslam (West Virginia)
The first domino to fall came early in the day with the addition of offensive lineman Donovan Haslam out of West Virginia. Haslam is the kind of plug-and-play depth piece every coaching staff covets-versatile, experienced, and tested against Power Five competition.
At 6-foot-3, 346 pounds, Haslam brings serious size to the Vols’ offensive line. He played all over the Mountaineers’ front in 2025, logging snaps at left guard, right guard, and left tackle. After starting the year as a rotational piece, he earned a starting role at left guard for the final five games of the season.
PFF gave him a 61.7 overall grade on 444 snaps last year, with a standout 74.7 pass-blocking mark. His run-blocking grade came in at 59.7-not elite, but serviceable.
Haslam’s journey began at Austin Peay before he transferred to West Virginia, and now he brings that well-traveled experience to Knoxville. He’s originally from Perry, Georgia, and should be in the mix for depth or rotational reps right away.
11:16 a.m. - DB Tevis Metcalf (Michigan)
Next up: another Metcalf in orange and white. Tennessee added Tevis Metcalf, the younger brother of recent transfer TJ Metcalf, who also joined the Vols earlier in the week. The brothers have been teammates throughout their college careers, first at Arkansas and then at Michigan, and now they’ll continue that journey together on Rocky Top.
Tevis has primarily contributed on special teams but also brings some positional flexibility. He’s played nickel and has been referred to as a cornerback by some analysts. That kind of versatility will be valuable as Tennessee reshapes its secondary, which has already seen a major overhaul this portal cycle.
The Metcalfs hail from Pinson, Alabama, and if the last name sounds familiar, it should-yes, they’re cousins of NFL wideout DK Metcalf. While Tevis may not have the same size or flash as his famous cousin, his ability to contribute in multiple areas of the defense makes him a smart pickup for a team looking to solidify its back end.
12:26 p.m. - TE Trent Thomas (South Alabama)
Less than an hour later, Tennessee added some muscle to the tight end room with the commitment of Trent Thomas from South Alabama. The timing was notable-his commitment came just days after freshman tight end Jack Van Dorselaer entered the portal and landed at Oklahoma.
Thomas, who redshirted in 2023, played in all 13 games in 2024 and followed that up with 12 appearances and eight starts in 2025. While his receiving numbers don’t jump off the page-just four catches for 34 yards last season-his value lies in his blocking. He earned a 61.9 pass-blocking grade from PFF, and that’s likely where he’ll make his biggest impact.
With pass-catching options like Ethan Davis and DaSaahn Brame already in the fold, Thomas gives Tennessee a more traditional in-line tight end who can help in the run game and protect the quarterback. He’s not here to light up the stat sheet, but he fills a very real need.
12:30 p.m. - RB Javin Gordon (Tulane)
Just minutes after Thomas committed, Tennessee struck again-this time in the backfield. The Vols landed freshman running back Javin Gordon from Tulane, a player who already has meaningful experience under his belt.
Gordon played in all 14 games for the Green Wave in 2025, including their College Football Playoff appearance against Ole Miss. He rushed for 516 yards and five touchdowns as a true freshman and added 13 receptions for 93 yards and another score. That’s solid production for a first-year back, and it came under the direction of now-Florida head coach Jon Sumrall.
With Peyton Lewis heading to Virginia via the portal, Tennessee needed to restock its running back room. Gordon brings three years of eligibility and a PFF grade of 72.7 from last season.
He also started six games, showing he’s more than just a situational back. Against Ole Miss in the playoff, he had six carries for 11 yards-not eye-popping, but the experience matters.
Expect Gordon to compete for reps early, especially with his ability to contribute in both the run and pass game.
6:30 p.m. - S DJ Burks (App State)
Tennessee capped off its Saturday with a homegrown addition: safety DJ Burks from Appalachian State. A Maryville, Tennessee native, Burks returns to his roots after three seasons with the Mountaineers.
Burks redshirted in 2023 but took on a much larger role in 2024 and 2025, playing in 25 games over those two seasons. He started seven games last year-one at strong safety and six at free safety-and racked up 65 tackles, five pass breakups, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. That kind of production speaks volumes, especially considering he wasn’t a full-time starter.
He’s a physical player with a nose for the football and brings a level of toughness that fits right in with what Tennessee is trying to build on defense. The Vols have now added six defensive backs through the portal, signaling a full-on reset in the secondary. Burks might not be the flashiest name in the group, but his experience and local ties make him a strong addition.
Final Thoughts
Five players. Nine hours. One clear message: Tennessee isn’t waiting around to build depth-they’re attacking the portal with purpose.
From the offensive line to the secondary, the Vols addressed key areas with players who bring both experience and upside. Not all of them are guaranteed starters, but each one fills a specific need and adds competition to rooms that needed it.
Spring ball is going to be fascinating in Knoxville. With so many new faces, especially on defense, the depth chart is anything but set. But one thing is clear: Tennessee isn’t just looking to maintain-they’re looking to level up.