There’s a new name heading to the transfer portal next month, and it’s one that Tennessee fans might already recognize. NC State linebacker Elijah Groves, the older brother of recent Vols signee Zach Groves, plans to enter the portal after spending two seasons with the Wolfpack.
While Elijah didn’t see the field during his time in Raleigh, his pedigree coming out of high school was nothing to overlook. A four-star recruit in the 2024 class, Groves was ranked No. 263 nationally and No. 6 in the state of Tennessee by the 247Sports Composite. Even more telling, 247Sports’ own rankings were even higher on him-placing him inside the top 100 nationally and naming him the top player in the Volunteer State.
And while Elijah’s college career hasn’t taken off just yet, his younger brother is already making waves. Zach Groves, a four-star edge rusher in the 2026 recruiting cycle, just signed with Tennessee earlier this month after committing to Josh Heupel and his staff back in May.
He’s coming off a decorated senior year at East Robertson High School, where he earned Tennessee AA Mr. Football honors thanks to a stat-stuffing season: 77 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
Oh, and he wasn’t just wreaking havoc on defense-Zach also ran for 675 yards and nine touchdowns, while hauling in nine catches for 119 yards and another score.
So when Elijah announced his portal plans, Zach’s reaction was simple but telling-a pair of 👀 emojis in a quote tweet. It’s the kind of subtle social media moment that gets fans buzzing, especially when it comes from a player who just signed his letter of intent.
Now, it’s worth noting that linebacker isn’t a pressing need for Tennessee at the moment. Even with Arion Carter heading to the NFL Draft, the Vols have a solid core returning with Edwin Spillman, Jeremiah Telander, Jadon Perlotte, and Jaedon Harmon. Add in a top-tier freshman class that includes TJ White and Brayden Rouse, and the depth chart looks strong heading into 2026.
Still, the transfer portal is all about opportunity and flexibility. With the new scholarship rules and evolving NIL dynamics, there’s always room to add depth-especially if a player doesn’t come with a hefty price tag or major revenue share expectations. Elijah Groves, despite not playing at NC State, still carries the kind of upside that made him a coveted recruit not too long ago.
And if there’s one thing we know about the Groves family, it’s that athleticism runs deep. In addition to Elijah and Zach, middle brother Isaiah Groves is currently playing at Austin Peay, while cousin Taylor Groves-a former Ole Miss football player-has since transitioned to basketball at Vol State Community College.
So as the portal carousel starts spinning again next month, keep an eye on Elijah Groves. Whether or not he ends up in Knoxville, there’s no denying the Groves name is becoming a familiar one in Tennessee football circles-and that family pipeline is worth watching.