As the transfer portal officially swings open, the chaos begins-and for Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel, the stakes couldn’t be higher. After an 8-5 season that left fans wanting more, year six of the Heupel era isn’t just about bouncing back-it’s about reestablishing the Vols as a true contender in the SEC. That means this offseason is going to be crucial, and the portal is where some of the biggest moves could happen.
So far, Tennessee’s losses to the portal haven’t been catastrophic-though Boo Carter’s departure certainly stings. But this offseason isn’t just about replacing talent-it’s about upgrading, retooling, and finding the right pieces to elevate this roster. That means Heupel and his staff will need to do double duty: keeping key players in Knoxville while also hitting the portal hard.
Here are three players who make a lot of sense for Tennessee-and who could be wearing orange sooner than later.
Josh Hoover, Quarterback
Let’s start with the most important position on the field. With Joey Aguilar’s status still up in the air, Tennessee may need to dip into the portal for a veteran quarterback. And while freshman talents like George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon are waiting in the wings, Heupel has made it clear: if Aguilar can’t go, experience will matter.
Enter Josh Hoover.
Hoover isn’t just a name floating around-he’s a real fit for what Tennessee wants to do offensively. He’s coming off a strong 2025 campaign where he threw for 3,472 yards, completed 66% of his passes, and tossed 29 touchdowns to go along with 13 interceptions. Those numbers don’t just suggest productivity-they point to a quarterback who’s comfortable in a fast-paced system and can process quickly from the pocket.
No, Hoover isn’t a true dual-threat, but he doesn’t need to be. He’s got the arm talent and decision-making to run Heupel’s up-tempo, vertical attack. And there’s already some smoke here-Tennessee reportedly had interest in Hoover last offseason, so the familiarity is there.
There are other options on the table-Brendan Sorsby and Sam Leavitt among them-but Hoover checks the most boxes. If Tennessee is looking for a plug-and-play guy who can stabilize the offense and push the ball downfield, Hoover might just be the best bet.
AJ Harris, Cornerback
Defensively, Tennessee’s secondary is in flux. With Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy headed to the NFL, Ty Redmond needs a new running mate at corner. Rickey Gibson III is expected back, but the Vols could use another proven cover man-especially one who fits into new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ system.
AJ Harris fits that bill.
Harris started his college career at Georgia before transferring to Penn State, where he spent the last two seasons. He’s a physical, press-man corner who isn’t afraid to play on an island-exactly the kind of guy Knowles likes to deploy in his aggressive schemes. While Harris’ production dipped a bit in 2025, the talent is still there, and the familiarity with Knowles’ system could make for a seamless transition.
Ranked as the No. 8 cornerback in the portal by Saturday Blitz, Harris brings experience, scheme fit, and upside. For a Tennessee defense looking to take the next step, he could be a key piece on the back end.
Tawfiq Byard, Safety
With Boo Carter gone, Tennessee’s safety room has a glaring hole-and Tawfiq Byard could be the answer.
Byard, a hard-hitting safety from Colorado, is one of the top defensive backs in the portal right now. He posted a 74.9 PFF grade in 2025, racked up 65 tackles, and showed the kind of physicality that Tennessee’s run defense sorely lacked last season. Simply put: he brings the edge this defense needs.
Byard’s ties to Tennessee might be a bit indirect-he originally committed to USF when former Vols OC Alex Golesh was there, and his brother, Kevin Byard, is an All-Pro safety who played at Middle Tennessee State-but there’s enough connection here to make a push feel natural.
More importantly, Byard fits the mold of what Tennessee needs: a downhill enforcer who can also hold his own in coverage. Ranked as the No. 2 safety in the portal by Saturday Blitz, he’d be an immediate impact player in Knoxville.
Final Thoughts
Tennessee’s offseason mission is clear: upgrade the roster, address key needs, and put together a team that can compete for an SEC title. The transfer portal is going to play a huge role in that process, and these three names-Hoover, Harris, and Byard-are all players who could help the Vols take a big step forward in 2026.
For Heupel and his staff, the work is just beginning. But if they can land the right pieces, Tennessee could be right back in the thick of the playoff conversation next fall.