Tennessee’s secondary just got a little deeper - and a little more familiar.
Cornerback Tevis Metcalf, formerly of Michigan, has committed to the Vols via the transfer portal, reuniting with his older brother TJ Metcalf for a third stop in their college football journey. The Metcalf brothers previously shared the field at Arkansas in 2024 and again at Michigan in 2025. Now, they'll suit up together in Knoxville, bringing chemistry and continuity to a Tennessee defense that’s undergoing a significant transformation under new leadership.
Tevis, listed at 5-foot-10 and 198 pounds, joins a revamped Vols secondary that’s already added experience and versatility through the portal. TJ Metcalf, a safety, is expected to be a key contributor.
Kansas State transfer Qua Moss brings starting-caliber talent at nickel, and Auburn’s Kayin Lee adds depth and physicality at corner. The Vols also landed Penn State safety Dejuan Lane, further bolstering a unit that’s clearly a priority for new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Knowles, who made the jump from Penn State this offseason, didn’t come alone. He brought with him co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Anthony Poindexter, as well as LEOs coach Andrew Jackson. Together, they’re reshaping the identity of Tennessee’s defense - and the additions in the secondary are a clear reflection of that vision.
While Tevis Metcalf hasn’t logged heavy defensive snaps yet in his college career, he’s been on the field. He played in all 12 games as a freshman at Arkansas, mostly on special teams, and appeared in three games for Michigan in 2025.
His stat line includes three tackles - one against New Mexico and two more (plus a forced fumble) against Maryland. At Arkansas, he notched a solo tackle in the regular-season finale against Missouri.
In total, he’s played 32 defensive snaps and 167 total snaps, with the bulk of his action coming on special teams.
Metcalf’s potential, though, goes beyond the numbers. Coming out of Clay-Chalkville High School in Alabama, he was a three-star recruit ranked as the No. 51 cornerback in the 2024 class.
He helped lead his team to a state championship in 2023, racking up 20 tackles and six pass breakups during his senior season. He also earned a spot in the Army All-American Bowl and picked Arkansas over offers from Auburn, Colorado, Georgia Tech, and others.
Football is in the Metcalf bloodline. Their father, Tarrus, played at Ole Miss, and Tevis and TJ are cousins of current Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf - a name that needs no introduction to NFL fans.
For Tennessee, the addition of Tevis Metcalf is another piece in a puzzle that’s coming together quickly on defense. He may not be a headline-grabbing transfer, but in a secondary that’s being rebuilt with both talent and familiarity, his presence - and his connection with TJ - could quietly become one of the more valuable assets on the roster.