The transfer portal is officially off and running and visits have begun. Tennessee and Josh Heupel are looking to reload after a dreadful end to the 2025 season, highlighted by flat out bad defensive play. Heupel is now hard at work with new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to fix that, which begins right now.
Tennessee has already been connected to a handful of names, and the news is coming in hot and heavy. Here’s what we know to this point.
Tennessee transfer portal names to know
Kansas State S Qua Moss is visiting Tennessee this weekend
and the Volunteers seemingly are out to an early lead here. The rising senior safety would immediately fill a need for Jim Knowles, giving him an experienced defender to utilize in his 3-safety looks. Moss had two picks this season for the Wildcats.
Wake Forest DL Mateen Ibirogba will visit Tennessee. He’s viewed as perhaps the top defensive lineman in the entire transfer class, which the Volunteers could certainly use after a tough 2025 season in the trenches. Ibirogba will also visit Georgia Tech, Texas Tech and Notre Dame, according to On3 Sports.
Jacksonville State RB Cam Cook is set for a visit to Knoxville. Tennessee’s need for another running back got pushed up the priority list a bit with the exit of Peyton Lewis. Star Thomas will also exit, leaving Tennessee with only DeSean Bishop, Daune Morris and Justin Baker. Cook left TCU a year ago and found his opportunity with Jacksonville State, where he ran for well over 1,600 yards. Cook scored 16 times and averaged 5.6 yards per carry.
Baylor LB Keaton Thomas is a name that was quickly connected to Tennessee following Arion Carter’s decision to turn pro. Thomas has been rumored to be in town already this weekend. He’s registered over 200 tackles for Baylor over the last two sesasons.
Penn State EDGE Chaz Coleman is an obvious Knowles connection. The former 5-star prospect is one of the top names in the portal and Tennessee will get its shot as the Vols try to solidify their pass rusher after losing Joshua Josephs and Caleb Herring. This would be one that Tennessee would have to break the bank for with Ohio State also in pursuit.
Miami (OH) EDGE Adam Trick is another potential target at EDGE. The 6-4, 242 pounder has also received interest from Florida, Wisconsin and Texas Tech.
Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt is obviously one of the biggest names in the portal and receiving a ton of interest. Tennessee has been connected here, but Leavitt will demand a significant amount of cash with Oregon, Kentucky, LSU and Miami also in the mix.
UNLV QB Anthony Colandrea hit the portal last week and Florida State and Tennessee were immediately named as potential suitors. Tennessee is obviously in limbo at the quarterback position with two freshmen on the roster and Joey Aguilar’s 2026 status remaining up in the air.
Penn State S King Mack is another Knowles connection that would fill an immediate need. The 5-10, 187 pound safety was credited with a pick and 58 tackles during the 2025 season as a junior.
Penn State DL Xavier Gillliam will reportedly visit Tennessee. The third Penn State product that’s been connected to Tennessee, Gilliam could fill a depth need for the Volunteers up front. Gilliam is coming off of his redshirt freshman season where he totaled 16 tackles. He checks in at 6-2, 302 pounds.
