The transfer portal is officially open, and there are plenty of players who should be of interest to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Of course, there are several key areas of need the Vols need to address. The team could use reinforcements in the secondary, on the edge, the interior defensive line, and at running back, just to name a few. There’s also the question of whether or not the team will look for a veteran quarterback, or if they will be content with Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre.
News has
already been flying about players committing to schools out of the portal, and the Vols have set several visits. It will be interesting to see who the team can bring in, so now let’s identify four players who should be at the top of the team’s list.
Xavier Gilliam, DL, Penn State
Xavier Gilliam is reportedly visiting the Vols this week. The former Penn State Nittany Lion would be a massive get for the Vols, as he would fill a big need along the defensive line.
Of course, Gilliam spent the 2025 season with the new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. This familiarity could help Gilliam immediately contribute in Knoxville. The defender has 17 tackles, one forced fumble, and 0.5 sacks in his career so far.
Cam Cook, RB, Jacksonville State
Cam Cook was one of the most productive running backs in the FBS last season. The Jacksonville State product rushed for a whopping 1,659 yards with 16 touchdowns in 2025.
Cook is now one of the top running backs in the portal, and the Vols have reportedly set up a visit. Just imagine a one-two punch of DeSean Bishop and Cook. That duo could take a ton of pressure off of whoever is playing quarterback for the team in 2026.
Chaz Coleman, EDGE, Penn State
Speaking of Penn State, edge-rusher Chaz Coleman is definitely a player the Vols should bring in. Coleman is scheduled to visit Knoxville on Monday, and the Vols would be wise to make sure he doesn’t leave without signing.
As a true freshman in 2025, Coleman collected six tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. The defender is rated as the No. 1 edge rusher available in the portal and was a 4-star recruit out of high school. This seems like the type of player that would go nuclear in his second season under Jim Knowles.
Ty Benefield, DB, Boise State
The Vols missed out on Tawfiq Byard, as the talented defensive back committed to Texas A&M on Sunday. There are plenty of other talented safeties in the portal, though, and Ty Benefield would be a perfect target.
Benefield racked up 69 tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions for Boise State in 2025. The defensive back visited LSU on Sunday, but if he doesn’t reach an agreement, Josh Heupel needs to be on the phone. Benefield can play as a box safety or in the slot, and his physicality would be welcomed in the Tennessee secondary.
