After a positive resolution to a will-they-or-wont-they with Arion Carter and a big-time acquisition of a Penn State star, Tennessee's linebacker room is revamped and ready to rock for 2026. Here's a look at the current state of Tennessee's upcoming linebacker cohort. 

The lone departure from the Vols linebacker room so far this offseason, has been rising sophomore Brenden Anes.

Primarily a special teamer with the Vols, the freshman Anes recorded 5 total tackles while appearing in every regular season game in 2025.

After announcing plans to enter the transfer portal in December, Anes officially left Tennessee in early January and signed with FBS Mid-American Conference champion Western Michigan.

Tennessee lost zero linebackers to the NFL draft.

The biggest story from the Volunteers defense this offseason has been returning defensive anchor Arion Carter.

After an injury-riddled yet productive junior season where he recorded 76 total tackles, and both a forced fumble and recovered fumble, Carter entered his name for the 2026 NFL draft.

After a brief period of draft preparations, Carter then withdrew from the draft, subsequently entering the transfer portal.

Carter's stay in the portal was short-lived however, announcing his return to Knoxville mere days after news of his portal entry broke.

After a confusing back-and-forth, Carter is seemingly now locked in and ready to go for the Vols next season.

Also returning to the Vols are key contributors, Edwin Spillman and Jeremiah Telander. 

The veteran Volunteers ranked first and second in team tackles in the 2025 season and are sure to remain solid contributors in '26.

Spillman led Tennessee in total tackles (81) and also led all linebackers in sacks with 2.5 takedowns. He additionally hauled in one interception last season. Entering his third season, Spillman is primed for a head-turning season in new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' defense.

Telander recorded 80 tackles this season, also tallying a sack and an int. The returning senior will remain a frequent contributor to the Vols defense but could see his role downsized as a result of offseason acquisitions and a transition to a more youthful group.

In addition to the trio listed above, Tennessee will bring back Ben Bolton, Jordan Burns, Jaedon Harmon, Jadon Perlotte, Ryan Scott and Grier Short next season.

Most notable of the group, Perlotte recorded 19 tackles and two forced fumbles last season and is set to play a more prominent role in the defense next season as a sophomore. 

New Tennessee and former Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles certainly brought the cavalry with him to Knoxville. Along with several defensive playmakers, Knowles has brought over highly coveted edge rusher Amare Campbell to the Tennessee defense.

In his 2025 junior season at Penn State, Campbell recorded a team high 103 total tackles. The second most on his team was 74. 

Campbell also tallied 3 sacks for the Nittany Lions-- a higher total than any Vols linebacker in 2025.

Before his time with Knowles at PSU, Campbell played at North Carolina for two seasons, recording 6.5 sacks in the 2024 season.

Campbell has the potential to emerge as a defensive star with the Volunteers next season and could join the ranks of the many NFL draftees from recent Tennessee defenses. 

Joining Campbell as new Vols in 2026 are incoming freshman Brayden Rouse of Kell High School (Ga.) and TJ White of Jackson Academy (Miss.).

The two high school standouts were featured in the Navy All-American Bowl game in early January, both making lasting impressions. 

Rouse was named a "Stock Up" practice player of the week by Rivals, while White made a key fourth-quarter tackle to help ensure victory for his team.