This is the first of a series of in-depth looks into how the Tennessee football team has developed under Josh Heupel.
Josh Heupel's first recruiting class in 2021 included 17 players, 14 of which eventually transferred out. Here's a look at every player from the group and how their time at Tennessee unfolded.
Defensive lineman Isaac Washington signed with the Vols in 2021 but entered the spring transfer portal before the season started, leaving to go to Butler Community College. Quarterback Kaidon Salter signed with Tennessee but immediately left in the summer transfer portal window, going to Liberty. He played there for four seasons before finishing his college career at Colorado in 2025.
Tight end Trinity Bell spent one season on Tennessee's roster but did not see any playing time. Following the 2021 season, Bell transferred to Iowa Western. Linebacker Aaron Willis played just one season at Tennessee, recording one tackle in limited playing time. After that one season, he left the Vols to go to Houston, where he didn't play much in two years and eventually went on to Delaware State.
Tight end Julian Nixon did not play during the 2021 season at Tennessee. He transferred to Butler Community College after that season and ended up returning to FBS football with Louisiana-Monroe.
Wide receiver Andison Coby signed with the Vols after playing one junior college season at Northeast Mississippi. During his only season with the Vols, he played in five games and made one reception. After leaving Tennessee through the transfer portal, Coby played his last three seasons at Indiana, before Indiana was a great place to land.
Running back Tiyon Evans was an important piece of Tennessee's running back room after signing from junior college. He rushed for 525 yards on 81 carries and six touchdowns. After one year with the Vols, he transferred to Louisville, where he played one season before entering the NFL draft. He got signed to two teams during the 2023 offseason after going undrafted but never played in a game.
Wide receiver Kaemen Marley redshirted in 2021 and did not play in any games. After the season, he entered the transfer portal and was on Division II Carson-Newman's roster for the 2022 season.
Tight end Miles Campbell played in four total games with the Vols across two seasons. He returned two kickoffs but never caught a pass in any of his playing time. Afer the 2022 season, Campbell transferred to FCS North Carolina Central and will be on UTSA's roster in 2026.
Offensive tackle Will Parker played two games during his true freshman season in 2021 and did not see any action in 2022. Following that season, he entered the portal and moved to UAB.
Defensive lineman Amari McNeill spent two seasons on Tennessee's roster. He played just one game in 2021 and played in six games in 2022 where he recorded three tackles. After the 2022 season, McNeill transferred to Colorado.
Wide receiver Walker Merrill played two seasons with the Vols, catching five passes in 2021 and eight in 2022. After the 2022 season, Merrill transferred to Wake Forest, where he played two seasons.
Cornerback De'Shawn Rucker spent three seasons on the Tennessee roster. In 2021, he got in 12 games both as a backup defensive back and on special teams, where he blocked a punt against Alabama. He played eight games in 2022 and started twice. In 2023, he mostly played special teams. Rucker transferred to South Florida after that season.
Defensive back Christian Charles played four seasons with Tennessee. During his freshman year, he played in eight games and started once, missing time during the season due to injury. Charles started six games during his sophomore season, including recovering a fumble and making eight tackles in the win over Alabama. In 2023, he only played two games before missing time due to injury and used a redshirt year. In his fourth season with the Vols, Charles appeared in 10 games before transferring to Virginia for the 2025 season.
Offensive lineman Jeremiah Crawford joined the Vols from Butler Community College in Kansas and appeared in 10 games during the 2021 season. He started six games in 2022, playing 10 total games for the Vols. During his final season in 2023, Crawford played in 10 games, starting seven between left tackle and right tackle.
Defensive end Byron Young joined the Vols from JUCO Georgia Military College and played two seasons with the Vols. In his first season in Knoxville, Young played in 11 games and started the final eight contests, recording 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Young started all 13 games in 2022, recording seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Young was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He made the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie team in 2023 and was a Pro Bowl selection this past season.
Running back Jaylen Wright stayed with Tennessee for all three of his college seasons. He played in nine games during his true freshman season, rushing for 409 yards on 85 carries. Wright was Tennessee's leading rusher in 2022, taking 146 carries for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns, including two rushes that eclipsed 50 yards. He cleared the 1,000-yard barrier in 2023, going for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. Wright was selected by Miami in the 2024 NFL Draft. He just completed his second season with the Dolphins.