With the chaos of the transfer portal finally in the rearview, Tennessee’s 2026 football roster is starting to take shape - and it’s clear the staff wasn’t sitting on their hands this offseason. The defensive side of the ball got a serious facelift as Jim Knowles prepares to take the reins, while the offense saw some calculated moves and a couple of big swings that didn’t quite connect.
Let’s break it down, position by position, and hand out some grades on how the Volunteers fared in the portal.
Quarterback - C
This one’s a bit of a waiting game. Tennessee’s quarterback outlook hinges heavily on whether Joey Aguilar gets the green light to return for 2026 - and we won’t have that answer until Friday. But what we do know is that Tennessee aimed high and came up empty.
They pushed hard for Sam Leavitt, only to watch LSU and Lane Kiffin swoop in with a better offer. Then there was Ty Simpson, who never officially entered the portal and instead made the jump to the pros.
Two big targets, two near-misses. In the end, Tennessee settled for Ryan Staub, more of a depth option than a game-changer.
If Aguilar’s back, the room looks a lot better. If not, the pressure’s on true freshmen George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon to grow up fast. Josh Heupel clearly wanted a veteran to bridge the gap - we’ll see if he gets that wish.
Running Back - B
Tennessee cast a wide net looking for help here and landed on Javin Gordon from Tulane. He’s coming off a solid freshman campaign - over 500 rushing yards - and brings a compact, sturdy frame at 5-10, 200 pounds. He’s not just a stopgap; he’s got the potential to be a long-term piece in the rotation.
The Vols didn’t overhaul the room, and they didn’t need to. But they quietly added a capable contributor who should see the field early.
Tight End - B
Losing Jack Van Dorselaer mid-cycle left Tennessee with a sneaky hole to fill, especially in the blocking department. Enter Trent Thomas from South Alabama - not a flashy name, but a perfect fit for what Tennessee needed. He thrives as an in-line blocker, which is exactly the role Van Dorselaer played.
It’s a classic case of identifying a specific need and filling it with a player who fits the mold. Clean and efficient.
Offensive Line - B+
Four starters return up front, but the departure of Lance Heard meant Tennessee needed to find a new answer at tackle. David Sanders is expected to shift to the left side, and the Vols brought in Ory Williams from LSU to potentially lock down the right.
They also added Donovan Haslam from West Virginia to bolster the interior depth. Glen Elarbee didn’t need to overhaul the unit - just add a few key pieces. Mission accomplished.
Defensive Tackle - C
Xavier Gilliam is a great pickup - a multi-year guy with experience and upside who should step into a major role right away. But he was the only addition at a position that saw several veterans exit.
Tennessee had multiple targets on campus and couldn’t close the deal. The lack of depth here is concerning, especially in the SEC trenches. Gilliam helps, but he’s going to need some help of his own.
EDGE - A+
This was the biggest need on the board, and Tennessee crushed it.
With Jordan Ross and Caleb Herring hitting the portal, the LEO room was nearly empty. The Vols responded by landing Chaz Coleman - a former five-star talent who followed Jim Knowles from his previous stop.
Coleman instantly becomes one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the league. At 6-4, 246 pounds, he’s got the frame, the pedigree, and now the opportunity.
They also added Jordan Norman from Tulane, who brings production (six sacks last season) and depth. This room went from bare to loaded at the top in a hurry.
Linebacker - A+
This one’s a win on all fronts. Tennessee landed Amaree Campbell from Penn State under the assumption that Arion Carter was off to the NFL. But Carter’s staying put, giving the Vols a dynamic duo in the middle of Jim Knowles’ defense.
Campbell brings versatility and athleticism, while Carter provides leadership and experience. The room is now deep, flexible, and built to handle the demands of Knowles’ aggressive scheme.
Cornerback - B-
The Vols took some hits here, losing Rickey Gibson to the portal and Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood to the draft. They responded by grabbing Auburn’s Kayin Lee, a proven SEC starter who should slot in next to Ty Redmond.
They also added Tevis Metcalf (Michigan) and Isaiah Hardge (Colorado) to round out the group. It’s a solid haul, but Tennessee aimed a little higher down the stretch and couldn’t quite land the top-tier depth they were chasing.
The top two are set, but the rest of the pecking order will be sorted out in spring ball.
Safety - A+
This was Tennessee’s most glaring need heading into the portal cycle - and they absolutely nailed it.
Dejaun Lane (Penn State) brings familiarity with Knowles’ system, while Qua Moss, TJ Metcalf, and DJ Burks give the Vols a versatile, athletic group on the back end. Edrees Farooq also returns, adding to the depth.
This unit is now loaded with options, and Knowles will have the flexibility to get creative with his coverages and alignments. It’s a complete transformation.
Specialists - A+
Sometimes, it’s just time for a change - and Tennessee made the right call moving on from Max Gilbert. They replaced him with Cooper Ranvier from Louisville, one of the most promising young kickers in the country. Ranvier went 21-of-25 on field goals as a redshirt freshman and still has three years of eligibility left.
They also brought in Idaho State wideout Ian Duarte to compete for the return job and added long snapper Blake Howard from Eastern Kentucky. Special teams got younger, more dynamic, and more reliable in one offseason.
Final Thoughts
Tennessee entered the portal cycle with a clear checklist - and for the most part, they checked the right boxes. The defense got a major overhaul with Knowles in mind, and while the quarterback situation remains unsettled, there’s still time for clarity there.
The Volunteers didn’t land every target, but they made impact additions at key positions - especially on defense. If Aguilar returns, this portal class might look even better in hindsight. If not, the pressure’s on the young arms to grow up quickly.
Either way, Tennessee’s 2026 roster looks deeper, faster, and more aligned with the identity Jim Knowles and Josh Heupel want to build.