Tennessee football made some serious moves in the transfer portal this offseason, adding 21 new faces to the roster in a concerted effort to reload and retool. Among those newcomers are two top-50 talents-edge rusher Chaz Coleman and defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, who arrives from Penn State. Both bring immediate upside and could be key contributors in 2026.
But while the Vols added plenty of talent, they also saw a wave of departures-28 players in total entered the portal. Most were depth pieces unlikely to factor heavily into next season’s plans.
Still, a few exits stand out, especially four players who landed on CBS Sports’ top-100 transfer portal rankings. These aren’t just names-they’re guys with SEC experience and legitimate upside, now headed to new programs looking for impact.
Let’s break down the four most notable departures from Tennessee’s roster.
Lance Heard - Offensive Tackle
CBS Ranking: No.
27
New School: Kentucky
Heard’s journey through the SEC continues, now taking him to Lexington. Originally a five-star recruit, he started at LSU before spending time at Tennessee.
Now, he’s expected to be a plug-and-play left tackle for Kentucky, protecting quarterback Kenny Minchey's blindside. Heard brings serious power and physicality to the position-when he locks on, defenders struggle to disengage.
But the next step in his development is refining his pass protection. If he can clean up the technique, he’s got the tools to be one of the better tackles in the conference.
Rickey Gibson III - Cornerback
CBS Ranking: No.
47
New School: Texas A&M
Gibson’s 2025 season was largely a wash after suffering an upper-body injury in the opener against Syracuse. But despite the limited tape, he remains one of the more intriguing cornerbacks in the portal.
He’s got the length, athleticism, and coverage instincts that don’t come around often-and that SEC experience doesn’t hurt either. Texas A&M is betting on his upside, and if he can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a difference-maker in the Aggies’ secondary.
Jordan Ross - Edge Rusher
CBS Ranking: No.
59
New School: LSU
Ross was another five-star talent who showed flashes in Knoxville but never quite broke out. Now he heads to LSU, where the Tigers are hoping a change of scenery-and a fresh start under defensive coordinator Blake Baker-can unlock his full potential.
Ross has all the physical tools you want in an edge rusher: length, burst, and the ability to bend around the corner. If LSU can tap into that, he could become a real problem for opposing quarterbacks in the SEC.
Boo Carter - Safety/Nickelback
CBS Ranking: No.
73
New School: Colorado
Carter turned heads as a true freshman, but his sophomore season didn’t go as planned. He struggled to find consistent footing on the field and reportedly fell out of favor with Tennessee’s coaching staff during the offseason.
Still, there’s no denying the talent. Carter is a versatile nickel defender who brings playmaking ability both in coverage and as a return specialist.
Colorado is hoping a new environment will help him recapture the spark he showed early in his college career.
The Bottom Line
Tennessee’s portal haul reflects a program that’s actively reshaping its roster, and while the incoming talent is impressive, the departures-especially these four-can’t be ignored. Each has the potential to make an impact at their next stop, and their performances will be worth watching as the 2026 season unfolds. For the Vols, the challenge now is turning their portal additions into on-field production-and making sure the talent they’ve brought in can fill the void left behind.