The transfer portal window of 2026 has been added some of its final touches over the last week.
Tennessee's foortball team has found some significant defensive help in the transfer portal window of 2026. The defense continues to be a focal point of change, with the defensive line seeing a large change in players through these additions.
Xavier Gilliam, Defensive Line
One of the biggest grabs from Tennessee during this transfer portal cycle was yet another Penn State transfer. By the end of the portal, the Vols had earned the commitment of four former defensive Nittany Lions to go along with new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who coached at Penn State last year.
Xavier Gillam just wrapped up his redshirt freshman season with Penn State. Although the stats don’t jump off the page with just half a sack and 16 total tackles, Gilliam still brings consistency, as he played all 13 games last season.
Gilliam was the No. 6-ranked defensive lineman in the transfer portal, as the Vols had a clear focus on defensive upgrades.
Ory Williams, Offensive Lineman
After the departure of Lance Heard earlier in the offseason, the Vols had an opening on their starting offensive line.
Standing at 6-foot-8 and 335 pounds, Williams enters the team from LSU with a crazy build but not much experience. Williams told 247sports Ryan Callahan that the team wants him to come in and start.
Assuming this is the case for the Vols' 2026 offensive line, that means Williams will start at right tackle, opposite of David Sanders Jr. Leaving the interior line to Wendell Moe Jr. and Jesse Perry at guard, with Sam Pendleton manning center.
One big reason for Heard's departure, reportedly, was the fact that Sanders was going to be moved to the all-important left tackle slot.
Kayin Lee, Cornerback
A rising senior transferring to the Vols from the University of Auburn, Kayin Lee brings three seasons of experience to the secondary after the departure of some big-name cornerbacks like Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood.
Lee has tallied three interceptions over his last two seasons, while collecting 11 pass deflections in the same time.
Lee also credited Hood’s success as a reason why Tennessee was an attractive destination for him.
“Seeing Colton Hood, that’s my old teammate from Auburn, like seeing him come here and do what he did out of the transfer portal, that’s just dope,” he said. “That just gives me nothing but confidence, seeing what my brother did.”
Jordan Norman, Edge
A transfer out of Tulane, Norman brings a frame to be desired by most defensive coordinators, standing at 6-4, 249 pounds, and Knowles is often known for favoring the frame and athleticism over other traits.
It’s unclear whether Norman will spend his first year as a full-fledged starter or as someone who will rotate in and out of spots on the defensive line. He has the potential to line up on the other side of fellow edge transfer Chaz Coleman.
“Honestly, Tennessee felt like home,” Norman said. “The history behind it. Even for me, walking in the stadium and seeing all the stands, I feel like I can -- in the future -- see everybody calling my name when I make plays. I’ll be happy with that.”
Chaz Coleman Edge
As mentioned above, Coleman is another Edge commit the Vols grabbed on the portal trail, but Coleman has the potential to be the biggest get.
Ranked as the No. 5 player in the transfer portal, Coleman is a sophomore standing at 6-4, 246 and has the potential to shake up the Vols' defense. Coleman joins the team with three more years of eligibility after appearing in nine games his freshman season.
Despite not starting, Coleman posted three tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery, and eight total tackles.