The transfer portal for college football is open and the roster chaos officially has begun.
The portal remains open until January 16, with the exception of the two teams in the College Football Playoff Championship. Those players have an additional five-day window between Jan. 20 and 24.
Exiting players who officially have entered the portal have their names in bold. Those who have committed or officially transferred to another school are in bold italics. The other names have announced they’re going into the portal but yet to officially do so. Eligibility for each player is for 2026.
TENNESSEE
Incoming (22)
Committed 1/25
TE Drake Martinez (UT Martin, 6-3, 240, GR): Martinez played in all 12 games, logging 10 starts, in his lone season with the Skyhawks. Martinez made 18 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. This is the fifth stop in as many years for Martinez, a Houston native who began his career at Colorado State and then spent a season apiece at McNeese and Houston Christian.
CB Jadais Richard (Miami, 6-1, 191, R-SR): Quite the late pick up for the Vols. Spanning his time at Vanderbilt and Miami, Richard has appeared in 36 career games making eight starts. His career totals: 52 tackles with three for loss and 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, five passes broken up, an interception, and six pass deflections.
WR Ian Duarte (Idaho State, 5-10, 170, R-SO): Duarte arrives from the FCS level after making 46 grabs for 521 yards and three touchdowns last season for the Bengals. He could see work in the return game as well; last season he returned 12 kickoffs for 242 yards and 11 punts for 113 yards, averaging over ten yards per punt return.
Committed 1/18
S D.J. Burks (Appalachian State, 6-0, 185, R-SR): A Maryville native, Burks heads to his hometown school after spending the past four years at Appalachian State. He’s seen the field in each of the Mountaineers’ 38 games over the last three seasons. In 2025, Burks made 73 total tackles, picked off a pair of interceptions, and broke up seven passes with two forced fumbles.
QB Ryan Staub (Colorado, 6-1, 200, R-JR): The Vols got the experienced QB that many believed they needed from the portal. Staub made five appearances last season with one start and was a consensus three-star prospect in high school. Does that make him the clear-cut starter over MacIntyre?
ATH Isaiah Hardge (Colorado, 5-10, 165, R-JR): Hardge can play receiver or defensive back. He’s appeared in 20 games over the past two seasons combined. In 2025, he logged 67 snaps on offense, 92 on defense, and 108 on five different special teams units.
Committed 1/17
OL Donovan Haslam (West Virginia, 6-3, 336, R-SR): A big addition, literally and figuratively. Haslam made five starts for the Mountaineers last season, his one and only campaign in Morgantown after starting his career at Austin Peay.
CB Tevis Metcalf (Michigan, 5-10, 198, JR): The fifth defensive back and ninth defensive player that the Vols added in this portal cycle, Metcalf follows his brother, TJ Metcalf, from Ann Arbor to Knoxville.
RB Javin Gordon (Tulane, 5-10, 200, SO): Gordon had a strong freshman season at Tulane, racking up 516 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 128 carries as a freshman.
TE Trent Thomas (South Alabama, 6-6, 254, R-JR): Thomas has the size to be a prototypical blocking tight end for the Vols. He appeared in all 25 games the past two seasons at South Alabama, making 12 starts, eight of which came in 2025.
Committed 1/13
S TJ Metcalf (Michigan, 6-1, 200, SR): A big acquisition for Tennessee. The 2025 All-Big Ten honorable mention choice had 58 tackles (37 solo) with four pass deflections and a pick last season. He’s played his entire career at the power conference level, starting out at Arkansas. It will be interesting to see how he works with new safeties coach Anthony Poindexter.
Committed 1/11
EDGE Jordan Norman (Tulane, 6-4, 249, R-JR): A renovation of the defense through the portal continued with the addition of Norman, who was a disruptive force in his lone season at Tulane, racking up eight tackles for loss, six of which were sacks.
Committed 1/10
DE Chaz Coleman (Penn State, 6-4, 246, SO): Tennessee started somewhat quiet in making moves through the portal but is rolling now and clearly mining connections with Penn State defensive players to add more guys from that group. Coleman, in terms of ratings, is the best of the bunch yet, rated as the No.1 Edge rusher among all of the thousands of players who have entered the portal.
DB Dejuan Lane (Penn State, 6-2, 212, JR): Lane becomes the fourth Nittany Lion defender to join the Vols. He made 30 tackles last season and logged three starts.
WR Gavin Freeman (Oklahoma State, 5-8, 180, R-SR): Freeman comes to Tennessee after making 53 catches for 481 yards and four TDs last season for OSU. Freeman spent two years at Oklahoma and then spent two in Stillwater. A whopping 63 players from Oklahoma State have entered the portal coming off a dreadful 1-11 2025 campaign for the Cowboys.
Committed 1/9
LB Amare Campbell (Penn State, 6-0, 230, R-JR): A huge get for the Vols, who add a player in Campbell who led the Nittany Lions in tackles last season and made the media’s third-team All-Big Ten list. Campbell finished with 103 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, a fumble recovery, and one pass defended. He was the only player in that conference to total at least 90 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2025. Tennessee makes the third school in four years for Campbell, who started out at UNC.
LS Blake Howard (Eastern Kentucky, 6-2, 225, R-JR): Howard also has experience at linebacker, but he’s been brought in to give a boost to the Vols’ special teams unit. Howard started his college career at ETSU.
Committed 1/8
DL Xavier Gilliam (Penn State, 6-2, 200, R-SO): Gilliam saw time in all 13 games for the Nittany Lions as a redshirt freshman, making two starts and totaling 15 tackles with two for loss.
PK Cooper Ranvier (Louisville, 6-3, 205, R-SO): Out goes Max Gilbert and in comes Ranvier, who was 21 of 25 on field goals and 39 of 41 on extra points last season for the Cardinals.
Committed 1/7
DB Kayin Lee (Auburn, 5-11, 180, SR): Lee arrives with one year of eligibility left. He broke up four passes, tying the team lead, and also totaled 31 tackles with an interception. He spent his entire time at Auburn seeing regular playing time and emerged as a starter during the 2024 season.
Committed 1/6
OT Ory Williams (LSU, 6-8, 335, R-FR): Williams has physical measurables that jump off the page. He is listed at 6-7 and 300 pounds on On3 but at 6-8 and 335 on LSU’s official site. He’s very much a project, having played just two years of high school football, but certainly a promising one.
Committed 1/4
DB Qua Moss (Kansas State, 5-10, 185, JR): Moss committed on January 4 after a visit to Knoxville. This is his fourth school in as many years, starting out at the JUCO level, then at West Georgia before going to K-State, where he made 41 total tackles with 10 for loss. He also accumulated a sack, a forced fumble, an interception, one pass break-up, and a blocked kick.
Outgoing (29)
LB Brenden Anes (FR): Committed to Western Michigan on 1/10
OL Max Anderson (R-SO): Committed to Kentucky on 1/6
CB Kaleb Beasley (JR): Committed to Louisville on 1/18
CB Colin Brazzell (R-SO): Committed to Abilene Christian on 1/13
DB/KR Boo Carter (SO): Committed to Colorado on 1/10
OT Trevor Duncan (R-SO)
CB Rickey Gibson III (JR): Committed to Texas A&M on 1/8
PK Max Gilbert (R-JR): Committed to Arkansas on 1/4
S Marcus Goree, Jr. (R-FR): Committed to Troy on 1/17
OL Brian Grant (R-JR): Committed to Memphis on 1/19
DL Herb Gray (R-SO): Committed to UNLV on 1/14
WR Braylon Harmon (R-SO)
OT Lance Heard (JR): Committed to Kentucky on 1/10
EDGE Caleb Herring (SR): Committed to South Carolina on 1/15
WR Amari Jefferson (R-FR)
RB Peyton Lewis (SO): Committed to Virginia on 1/7
EDGE Kellen Lindstrom (R-FR): Committed to Missouri State on 1/13
EDGE Jayden Loftin (R-FR): Committed to Wisconsin on 1/10
QB Jake Merklinger (R-FR): Committed to UCONN on 1/15
EDGE Emmanuel Okoye (R-SO): Committed to Cal on 1/16
EDGE Jordan Ross (6-4, 245, SO): Committed to LSU on 1/9
C William Satterwhite (R-SO): Committed to LSU on 1/10
DL Josh Schell (R-JR): Committed to UCF on 1/11
TE Jack Van Dorselaer (6-5, 230, R-FR): Committed to Oklahoma on 1/16
DL Jamal Wallace (R-SO): Committed to Utah on 1/11
OT Bennett Warren (R-FR): Committed to Minnesota on 1/4
WR Trey Weary (R-SR): Committed to ETSU on 1/17
WR Tommy Winton III (R-SR): Committed to ETSU 1/13
ETSU
Incoming (21)
Committed 1/27
DL Yasir Smith (North Carolina, 6-5, 265, R-FR): Smith left the Tar Heels back in October and projects as an end in the Bucs’ system.
TE Billy Lyons (Florida Atlantic, 6-4, 235, R-FR): Lyons, a Cincinnati native, redshirted last season for the Owls.
Committed 1/25
DB Izziek Chandler (Central Missouri, 6-0, 185, SO): Chandler made 11 tackles and snared an interception as a freshman at Division II Central Missouri.
Committed 1/22
LB Reed Blake-Thomas (Eastern Illinois, 6-0, 235, R-FR): Blake-Thomas comes to Johnson City after redshirting last season at EIU. Prior to that, he was an all-state selection and team defensive MVP for Brighton High in Michigan.
Committed 1/21
DB Deven Hunter (Tennessee Tech, 5-11, 184, SR): Hunter comes to ETSU after three seasons at Tennessee Tech. He started every game for the Golden Eagles in 2024, but only made five appearances last season.
Committed 1/19
QB Mason Mims (Louisville, 6-3, 210, R-FR): Mims sat out this season for the Cardinals. As a high schooler, he threw for 8,405 career yards with 89 touchdowns.
Committed 1/18
QB Jadyn Davis (Michigan, 6-1, 207, JR): Davis might be the highest-rated prospect ever to come to ETSU. He was a consensus top 10 quarterback in the class of 2024, and the two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in North Carolina. He saw spot duty in a handful of games last season after working almost exclusively on the scout team as a true freshman in 2024.
Committed 1/17
WR Trey Weary (6-2, 185, R-SR): A career reserve wide receiver at Tennessee, Weary made four career catches for 24 total yards. He appeared in 11 games last season, a career high.
Committed 1/15
OL Sam Browder (Memphis, 6-6, 285, R-FR): Browder sat out last season for the Tigers and entered the portal after Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield left for Arkansas. Browder is a Kingsport native and, in signing with his hometown school, will get to play next season with his oldest brother, Charlie Browder, who is using his medical redshirt to play one final year of college ball.
LB Jarvis Johnson, Jr. (FAU, 5-11, 220, R-SO): Johnson saw limited playing time last season on defense for the Owls.
Committed 1/13
EDGE Gideon Herbert (Arkansas State, 6-3, 242, R-SO): Herbert was offered by ETSU fairly early in the portal process. He sat out in 2024 and did not see the field last season for Butch Jones’ Red Wolves.
OL Steven Lizama (Merrimack, 6-3, 285, JR): Lizama played in 18 games combined in his two active years with Merrimack.
DL Xavier Porter (Louisville, 6-2, 280, R-SO): Porter made one appearance across two seasons with the Cardinals.
WR Tyler Griffin (ULM, 6-4, 210, R-SR): Griffin, who played two years at UCF before joining the Warhawks, had his most productive season yet in 2025. He totaled 13 catches for 168 yards with two touchdowns.
WR Tommy Winton III (ETSU, 5-10, 200, R-SR): Winton goes full circle, returning to the school where he started his college career after spending the past two seasons with the Vols.
Committed 1/12
DL Tyreek’e Robinson (UCF, 6-2, 340, R-SO): A three-star prospect coming out of high school, Robinson spent the past two seasons at UCF, where he was a preferred walk-on.
Committed 1/11
OL Ty Williams (Austin Peay, 6-4, 309, R-JR): The Greeneville, Tenn., native heads back to his home turf after spending three years with the Govs, making eight total starts at either left tackle or right tackle. When Williams went into the portal, he posted on social media that he’s capable of playing all five stops along the offensive line.
WR Suderian Harrison (Virginia, 5-10, 184, SR): Harrison caught 22 combined passes for 255 yards in three seasons with the Cavaliers. He saw his most run in 2024, making 11 catches for 99 yards.
Committed 1/10
OL Cal Grubbs (Liberty, 6-3, 280, R-JR): Grubbs becomes the third commit through the portal for the Bucs. He’s a Maryville native.
Committed 1/9
WR Brandon Winton, Jr. (USF, 6-1, 187, R-SO): Winton, a Knoxville kid who played at Alcoa before spending some time at IMG Academy, returns to his home state. Winton rarely saw playing time in his two years with the Bulls.
Committed 1/8
RB/KR T.J. Peyton (Georgia State, 5-9, 205, SO): Peyton becomes the first commit through the portal for the Bucs, after running it 12 times for 65 yards. He saw more duty on kick returns, racking up 365 yards on that duty.
Outgoing
DL Brian Alston (R-SO)
DB Marlon Ayers, Jr. (R-SO)
S Ryan Barrett (R-JR): Committed to Stony Brook on 1/17
DL Kaven Call (R-JR): Committed to Middle Tennessee on 1/9
OL Johnathan Cline (R-SO): Committed to Miami on 1/25
DB Jason Duclona (R-SO)
RB Khalil Eichelberger (R-SR)
WR Justin Franklin (GR)
DB Andrew Hand (R-SO): Committed to Tulsa on 1/7
WR Jeremiah Harrison (SO): Committed to James Madison on 1/10
DL Dailen Howard (SR): Committed to Tulsa on 1/19
TE Cole Keller (GR): Committed to James Madison on 1/4
DB Jackson Norkunas (SO)
OL Cole Norred ((SO): Committed to Georgia Southern on 1/10
DT Jaden Pierce (R-SO)
LS Hayden Ross (R-SO): Committed to James Madison on 1/6
DB Tywan Royal (R-JR)
OL Frankie Tinilau (JR): Committed to James Madison on 1/14
OL Jay Wade (R-JR): Committed to Weber State on 1/19
VIRGINIA TECH
Incoming (27)
Committed 1/21
DL Samuel Okunlola (Colorado, 6-4, 225, R-JR): This is the third stop for Okunlola, who began his career at Pitt and spent the past three seasons at Colorado. Okunlola missed last season due to injury.
LS Deed Capper (Wisconsin, 6-2, 220, SO): A candidate for the All-Name Team, Capper is a recruited walk-on and reportedly is the final addition to the transfer portal class for the Hokies.
Committed 1/17
OT Justin Terry (Ohio State, 6-5, 324, R-SO): Terry becomes the third offensive tackle in this portal class, with all three from power conferences. Terry logged 57 total snaps in 2025 for the Buckeyes, mostly in games where the outcome had long been decided.
LB Curtis Jones, Jr. (West Virginia, 6-4, 226, JR): Jones made 22 tackles last season, which included a sack and three stops for loss. He also forced a fumble and broke up two passes. Jones also saw some reps at running back, rushing it 11 times for 24 yards in three games in November. He was a two-time all-state running back in Huntington.
Committed 1/15
WR Tyseer Denmark (Penn State, 5-10, 187, R-SO): Stop me if you’ve heard this one before; a Penn State player is transferring to Tech to play for new Hokies coach James Franklin. Denmark becomes the 12th former Nittany Lion to head to Blacksburg, representing exactly half of Tech’s transfer portal through 24 commitments.
Committed 1/14
CB Kenny Woseley, Jr. (Penn State, 5-10, 180, R-SO): Woseley becomes the 10th Nittany Lion to sign on with James Franklin in Blacksburg. Woseley also is the sixth defensive player from Penn State.
QB Ethan Grunkemeyer (Penn State, 6-2, 207, R-SO): Reports came out early in the portal cycle that Grunkemeyer was headed for Virginia Tech, but he made it official on the 14th. Grunkemeyer stepped in as starter for the Nittany Lions in October. He finished the season completing 123 of 178 passes (67.6%) for 1,339 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
Committed 1/12
DE Randy Adrika (Penn State, 6-3, 308, R-FR): Another day and another Penn State product who lands with the Hokies. Adrika appeared in just two games in 2025 and comes to Blacksburg with four years’ eligibility.
Committed 1/11
TE Luke Reynolds (Penn State, 6-4, 248, JR): Reynolds played in every game last season, making seven starts in the process. He finished with 26 catches for 257 yards.
OL Michael Troutman III (Penn State, 6-2, 300, R-FR): Troutman redshirted last season, so he comes to Blacksburg with four years’ eligibility.
EDGE Cortez Harris (Penn State, 6-3, 245, R-FR): Harris, who entered the portal January 6, becomes the latest Nittany Lion to sign on with Franklin and head to Blacksburg. Harris arrives with four years’ eligibility.
EDGE Mylachi Williams (Penn State, 6-3, 252, SO): Williams, a four-star prospect coming out of high school in Philadelphia, made four total appearances in games for the Nittany Lions. He becomes the fourth Penn State defender to transfer to Virginia Tech.
DT Eric Mensah (Ohio State, 6-2, 302, R-SO): Mensah is listed as a sophomore now but could seek a medical redshirt for 2025. He committed verbally to Tech in high school but flipped to the Buckeyes. He becomes the first interior defensive lineman in this portal class for the Hokies.
Committed 1/10
WR Marlion Jackson (Louisiana Tech, 6-4, 210, R-JR): Jackson made 46 catches for 753 yards and three touchdowns during his time with the Bulldogs.
QB Bryce Baker (North Carolina, 6-2, 200, R-FR): Baker was a consensus four-star prospect and jumps within the ACC. Baker didn’t see the field for the Tar Heels and Bill Belichick last season. He’ll likely provide some competition at QB for Grunkemeyer.
WR Que’Sean Brown (Duke, 5-7, 165, R-SO): Brown arrives at Duke with more than 1,300 career receiving yards.
Committed 1/8
OT Logan Howland (Oklahoma, 6-6, 322, R-JR): Howland’s 2025 season was limited to five games due to injury. The yard before, as a redshirt freshman, he played in every game while making six starts.
LB Keon Wytle (Penn State, 6-2, 225, R-JR.): Another day, and another addition in the portal from Franklin’s former program. Wytle saw spot duty in all 13 games in 2025 for the Nittany Lions, contributing 28 tackles with 2.5 for loss and a sack, as well as a pass defended.
P Nathan Totten (Marshall, 6-1, 231, JR):
Committed 1/7
DB Jaquez White (Troy, 6-1, 190, JR): White was a second-team All-Sun Belt honoree in 2025, and chose the Hokies on January 7 over a group of other suitors that included Tennessee. White ranked third in the Sun Belt and seventh in the FBS in passes defended (14) and 15th nationally in pass breakups (11). He finished with 67 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss and a sack, and snagged three interceptions — one of them a pick-6.
Committed 1/6
CB Cam Chadwick (UCONN, 6-0, 185, R-SO): Chadwick, who committed January 6, totaled 67 tackles and four interceptions in 2025 for the Huskies.
WR Jeff Exinor, Jr. (Penn State, 6-1, 216, R-FR): Exinor becomes the fourth former Nittany Lion to join the Hokies, and former Penn State coach James Franklin.
EDGE Javion Hilson (Missouri, 6-4, 240, R-FR): Hilson was a consensus top 80 prospect overall in the class of 2025, and was rated five stars by Rivals. He did not see a single snap at Mizzou.
Committed 1/5
OL Justin Bell (Michigan State, 6-6, 311, R-FR): Bell redshirted last season for the Spartans but was a top-rated offensive line prospect in the Class of 2025. Michigan State named him its top scout team player three times during the 2025 campaign.
Committed 1/4
RB Bill Davis (Louisiana, 5-9, 225, R-JR): Davis gained 1,432 yards rushing combined over the past two seasons with 15 touchdowns.
EDGE Daniel Jennings (Penn State, 6-2, 257, R-FR): Jennings, who committed January 4, follows Franklin from Penn State. He was a four-star prospect coming out of high school in West Virginia.
TE Matt Henderson (Penn State, 6-5, 236, R-FR): Henderson joined Jennings in making the move from Penn State. He saw limited duty on special teams as a true freshman, but not so much that he couldn’t redshirt.
Outgoing (26)
WR/S Devin Alves (GR): Committed to Hawaii on 1/19
CB Caleb Brown (SR): Committed to Hawaii
RB Braydon Bennett (R-SR): Committed to Eastern Michigan on 1/19
EDGE Keyshawn Burgos (SR): Committed to Purdue on 1/13
RB Jeremiah Coney (R-SO): Committed to UTEP
LB James Djonkam (SR)
S Christian Ellis (SR): Committed to Virginia on 1/4
OL Hannes Hammer (R-JR): Committed to UCONN on 1/20
WR/KR Tucker Holloway (R-JR): Committed to FAU
LB Noah Jenkins (6-2, 205, R-SO)
EDGE James Jennette (R-SR)
LB Will Johnson (6-2, 220, R-SR)
CB Dante Lovett (JR): Committed to UCLA on 1/5
WR Michael Matthews (R-FR)
DL Arias Nash (SR): Committed to Tulsa on 1/10
OL Jahzari Priester (R-JR): Committed to North Texas on 1/11
QB Garret Rangel (R-JR): Committed to UTRGV on 1/19
DB Joseph Reddish (R-SR): Committed to Appalachian State on 1/11
WR Cameron Seldon (SR): Committed to USF on 1/20
LB Michael Short (R-JR): Committed to TCU on 1/5
WR Isaiah Spencer (R-SR): Committed to Ole Miss on 1/14
OL Carter Stallard (R-FR): Committed to Murray State
QB William Watson III (R-SO): Committed to UMass on 1/11
DB Krystian Williams (R-SO)
TE Zeke Wimbush (R-SO): Committed to Liberty on 1/7
LB Caleb Woodson (JR): Committed to Alabama on 1/6