Jadais Richard is headed back to familiar territory - and back into the SEC.
The veteran cornerback, who began his college career at Vanderbilt before spending the last three seasons at Miami, has committed to Tennessee. Richard made the announcement just over 24 hours after wrapping up his official visit to Knoxville, choosing the Vols over other suitors including Auburn and Missouri. Tennessee was the first school to host him after he entered the transfer portal, and that first impression proved to be all he needed.
“It was actually my first time going there,” Richard said of his visit to Tennessee. “It was pretty great - the campus and the city.
Top-of-the-line facilities. Got good coaches.
The community is great.”
At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Richard brings both size and experience to a Tennessee secondary that’s in need of reinforcements. A former four-star recruit out of West Monroe High School in Louisiana, Richard made six starts in nine appearances for Miami in 2024 before a season-ending injury cut his year short. His 2025 campaign was limited, but he remained a part of a Hurricanes program that reached the College Football Playoff national championship game.
Now, with one final season of eligibility, Richard is looking for a fresh start - and Tennessee offers a compelling opportunity. The Vols lost three starting cornerbacks from last season’s roster: Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood are off to the NFL, while Rickey Gibson III transferred to Texas A&M. Star nickelback Jalen McMurray also graduated, leaving Tennessee with several key holes in the defensive backfield.
Richard said the coaching staff was upfront about their needs - and about the role they envision for him.
“They pretty much told me they were struggling a little bit in the secondary last year,” Richard said. “So really just filling in the roles of the two corners that left last year. Really, (they see me) just coming in and being a dominant guy for the defense.”
That message, combined with the opportunity to reunite with a familiar face, helped seal the deal. Tennessee’s new cornerbacks coach, Michael Hunter Jr., is also a West Monroe alum, and the two connected during Richard’s visit.
“Coach Hunter, we went to the same high school,” Richard said. “We're originally from the same area, so it was good catching up with him, too.”
Richard also pointed to new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles as a major draw. Knowles arrives in Knoxville with a reputation for building elite defenses, and Richard didn’t hold back in his praise.
“Coach Knowles is basically like a legend - like, an expert in this game,” he said. “The past couple years, he's had dominant defenses. He's either been the first or the second in the country, so that's something you can't really turn a blind eye to.”
Richard’s versatility could be a major asset for the Vols. He’s played all over the secondary - corner, nickel, and safety - and says he’s ready to contribute wherever the team needs him most.
“I mean, I've played all three positions,” he said. “So whichever one they see me at, whichever way I can get on the field fast and help the team.”
For Tennessee, this is more than just a depth addition. It’s a calculated move to shore up a defense that needs experience and leadership on the back end. And for Richard, it’s a homecoming of sorts - not just to the SEC, but to a place where he sees a clear path to making an impact.
“I started my freshman year off at Vandy, so I'm kind of familiar with the Tennessee area a little bit,” he said.
He may not have played in Neyland Stadium yet - Vanderbilt’s 2022 matchup with Tennessee was in Nashville - but if all goes according to plan, he’ll be making up for lost time in front of over 100,000 fans this fall.