The 2026 transfer portal cycle is about ready to wrap up with the conclusion of the National Championship game, including Tennessee. Here is the background on some of the Vols' recent acquisitions There will be more Thursday.
The 2026 transfer portal cycle is about ready to wrap up with the conclusion of the National Championship game, and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and the Vols were quite active as they gear up for the next season.
The defensive side of the ball saw some of the largest additions, as new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles landed a handful of weapons he’ll be using.
TJ Metcalf, Safety
A junior defensive back out of Birmingham, Ala., TJ Metcalf, transfers from the University of Michigan.
Rated as just a three-star according to 247 Sports coming out of High school, Metcalf had grown into a valuable piece on defense for three seasons. After two years with Arkansas, his third season playing at Michigan finished with an interception.
The previous season, Metcalf tallied three interceptions, totaling to four career interceptions in three seasons. He was a key contributor to the Wolverines all season long and should slot in nicely with the Vols.
Dejuan Lane, Safety
The secondary was a clear area of emphasis after the movement in the portal, with safety Dejuan Lane transferring in from Penn State, the same school from which Knowles departed just this offseason.
Lane immediately slots in as an impact player for the defense. With safety running thin, after the flurry of offseason moves, Lane follows his coordinator to a new home with a handful of opportunities ahead.
Lane has two seasons under his belt so far; he collected 29 total tackles along with a sack in his sophomore season.
Cooper Ranvier, Kicker
As the offseason entered full effect and former Vols kicker Max Gilbert hit the portal, it became clear Tennessee was in the market for a new starting kicker.
Cooper Ranvier, a redshirt freshman out of Lexington, Ky., instantly earns an opportunity to start. He finished his first official season of play last season, where he went 21-25 on field goals, his longest being a 51-yard kick.
"Just the culture between Neyland and seeing all the coaches,” Ranvier said. “How they act, it felt like home.”
Amare Campbell, Linebacker
Amare Campbell stands as the second Penn State transfer on the list, joining the safety Lane and coordinator Knowles at Tennessee for Campbell's senior season.
Standing at 6-foot, 231 pounds, Campbell brings the stature and the experience the Vols need on the defensive line. Campbell has a career total of 10.5 sacks, with three of them coming last season.
Although Campbell missed some of the 2025 season with a toe injury, he remains slotted for a big role on the Tennessee defense. He'll be alongside Arion Carter, last year's leading tackler who returns after a venture in the NFL draft and transfer portal.
Qua Moss, Safety
The third safety transfer on the list, Qua Moss, was the first commit to Tennessee in this year’s transfer portal from Kansas State.
He played in all 12 games last season as a redshirt freshman, totaling 41 tackles along with a forced fumble and two interceptions.
Along with Lane and Metcalf, Moss will help refine the secondary after Tennessee lost players such as Andre Turrentine and even Boo Carter.
“Just seeing everything here was outstanding,” Moss said. “It just felt like home as soon as I got here. Everything was just a loving environment. I am so grateful for that.”