The Tennessee Volunteers, like every other college basketball team, are currently trying to navigate the transfer portal.
As you’ve likely seen by now, the Vols have watched several players enter the portal. Jaylen Carey, J.P. Estrella, Cade Phillips, and Bishop Boswell, among others, are all looking for a new team for the 2026-27 season. As of now, the only returning players are Ethan Burg, DeWayne Brown, and Troy Henderson.
This is just how college athletics is now, and every team has to deal with
it. There will be several new faces brought in via the portal to replace those who are leaving, and the hope is that this roster shuffle will end up making the Vols better.
The Vols have already landed a commitment from Belmont guard Tyler Lundblade and the team has been rumored to be involved with several other players as well. Now, let’s identify some of those other players the Vols could land.
Preston Edmead, Guard, Hofstra
Preston Edmead was a big reason why the Hofstra Pride made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over 20 years. The guard immediately contributed as a freshman and averaged 16.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds.
Edmead shot 40% from the field and 38.7% from deep in his first collegiate season. What should really interest the Vols is Edmead’s free throw shooting. The guard shot a solid 83.3% from the charity stripe.
Lazerek Houston, Guard, Central Missouri
Another guard, Lazerek Houston, is a player many fans likely aren’t familiar with. Houston played for DII Central Missouri in 2025-26 and averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. Houston was also a freshman in 2025-26, so he could be a long-term option like Edmead.
Money Williams, Guard, Montana
Money Williams is a name most Tennessee fans are familiar with. If you remember, back in 2024, when Montana and Tennessee played, Tennessee fans raised over $50,000 for Williams after learning that both of his parents had passed away within one year.
Since then, however, Williams has evolved into an elite guard. In 2025-26, Williams averaged 20.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. The guard shot 49.3% from the field and 34% from deep.
Colby Garland, Guard, San Jose State
Colby Garland is another guard the Vols could target. Garland has played for three different schools in three seasons, but he’s gotten better each year.
In 2025-26, Garland averaged 20.3 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game for San Jose State. Like Williams, Garland isn’t the best three-point shooter, but he drives well and is almost automatic from the mid-range.
Juke Harris, Guard/Forward, Wake Forest
Juke Harris exploded onto the scene in 2025-26 and ended up being one of the best wings in the ACC. There is some familiarity between the Vols and Harris, as the Vols heavily recruited the wing out of high school.
In 2025-26, Harris averaged 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
Thomas Dowd, Forward, Troy
Thomas Dowd is an experienced big who is ready to move up. The forward spent three seasons at Troy, improving each year, and could be a weapon at a higher level.
In 2025-26, Dowd averaged a double-double, with 14.4 points and 10.1 rebounds. Dowd can step out and hit a three or two, as well.
Bryson Tiller, Forward, Kansas
Bryson Tiller saw 31 starts as a freshman at Kansas in 2025-26, so you know he’s talented. Tiller averaged 7.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. He’s got good size at 6’10”, and could be a perfect replacement for JP Estrella.
Emmett Adair, Forward, Loyola (MD)
Emmett Adair is another young forward who should be of interest. Adair hails from Australia and had a solid season for Loyola (MD) in 2025-26.
Adair averaged 14.6 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 46.6% from the field and 81.1% from the free throw line. Adair could be another Estrella/Phillips replacement.
Magoon Gwath, Forward/Center, San Diego State
Magoon Gwath has been a popular name early in the transfer portal cycle. Gwath stands at 7’0” and has been an elite rim protector in the Mountain West.
Gwath led the conference in blocks in 2024-25 and then averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 2025-26. Gwath won’t take over games with his offense, but he’s a true rim protector who can contribute in multiple ways.
This list is an early game of connect the dots, along with some things we’ve seen reported elsewhere. It’s sure to change quite a bit — and quickly — as we go over the next several days.
