2025/26 Transfer Portal Thread

#17,483
#17,483

Ole Miss transfer Ethan Fields details Tennessee visit​

Ole Miss transfer offensive lineman Ethan Fields was in Knoxville on Thursday as the dead period lifted and detailed his time at Tennessee after his visit.

“This trip showed me that Tennessee treats everyone like family,” Fields said. “That’s what I felt as soon as I walked in the door. It’s a really tight knit place. It’s a for real family.”

“I played with D-Samp (Dylan Sampson) in high school. I’m going call him and pick his brain about Tennessee.”

Tennessee was Fields second trip. He has already seen Arkansas. He is at Alabama on Friday and will make a quick decision.

“I will be deciding tomorrow immediately after the trip to Alabama on my way home,” Fields. “I have to get in school. I have to pack up my stuff in Oxford. I have seen what I need to see. I’m not going on these trips to see all the bells and whistles. I’m seeing the people who are going to be involved in my life the next two years.”

Fields said he had three things he was looking for when he went into the portal and he started looking at possible schools.

“My criteria for a landing spot for me was — I want to play at the highest competition possible,” Fields said. “I want to play. And I want to play with and for people that care about me. Tennessee checked all those boxes.”

Fields (6-3, 320, R-So, Geismar, Louisiana) played in all 15 games in a limited role for the Rebels playoff team in 2025 helping the Rebels reach the College Football Playoff semifinals. Fields has two years of eligibility remaining and can play either guard spot and has repped on the practice field at center.
 
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#17,484
#17,484
HoleInTheRoof said:

Ole Miss transfer Ethan Fields details Tennessee visit​

Ole Miss transfer offensive lineman Ethan Fields was in Knoxville on Thursday as the dead period lifted and detailed his time at Tennessee after his visit.

“This trip showed me that Tennessee treats everyone like family,” Fields said. “That’s what I felt as soon as I walked in the door. It’s a really tight knit place. It’s a for real family.”

“I played with D-Samp (Dylan Sampson) in high school. I’m going call him and pick his brain about Tennessee.”

Tennessee was Fields second trip. He has already seen Arkansas. He is at Alabama on Friday and will make a quick decision.

“I will be deciding tomorrow immediately after the trip to Alabama on my way home,” Fields. “I have to get in school. I have to pack up my stuff in Oxford. I have seen what I need to see. I’m not going on these trips to see all the bells and whistles. I’m seeing the people who are going to be involved in my life the next two years.”

Fields said he had three things he was looking for when he went into the portal and he started looking at possible schools.

“My criteria for a landing spot for me was — I want to play at the highest competition possible,” Fields said. “I want to play. And I want to play with and for people that care about me. Tennessee checked all those boxes.”

Fields (6-3, 320, R-So, Geismar, Louisiana) played in all 15 games in a limited role for the Rebels playoff team in 2025 helping the Rebels reach the College Football Playoff semifinals. Fields has two years of eligibility remaining and can play either guard spot and has repped on the practice field at center.
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Need the 274 breakdown, stat.
 
#17,487
#17,487
UTK said:
TIFWIW BUT Grok is claiming Sam Leavitt is about to flip to Tennessee!
Click to expand...
Not what I'm seeing on Grok.

As of January 15, 2026 (late evening EST, portal window closes tomorrow Jan. 16), Tennessee Volunteers football is in the final frantic hours of the transfer portal. The Vols have secured 11-12 incoming transfers overall (strong on defense via Jim Knowles' Penn State pipeline), but they've faced some setbacks today—including a flip—and the QB situation remains unresolved with no veteran addition yet.

Incoming Transfers (Committed/Signed as of today)​

Tennessee has added solid pieces, especially defensively, but the count is around 11 (one recent flip noted below). Key additions include:
  • DB/Safety TJ Metcalf (Michigan) – Major get; 58 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT in 2025.
  • DL Xavier Gilliam (Penn State) – 15 tackles, 2 TFL in 2025; adds trench depth.
  • S Qua Moss (Kansas State) – Early commit; 41 tackles, 2 INTs.
  • CB Kayin Lee (Auburn) – High-rated portal CB for immediate help.
  • OT Ory Williams (LSU) – 6-8, 335 lbs tackle to compete for starting spot.
  • Other notables: Penn State LB Amare Campbell, EDGE Chaz Coleman (Penn State), DL Jordan Norman (Tulane), K Cooper Ranvier (Louisville), and more (total ~11-12 per reports).

Latest Developments (Today, Jan. 15)​

  • Bad news: WR/return specialist Gavin Freeman (Oklahoma State) — who committed to Tennessee earlier — flipped and signed with Baylor instead. This hurts offensive depth/return game (he was one of few offensive adds).
  • Incoming visitors: New DB targets expected soon — Peyton Taylor (Emporia State), Faheem Delane (Ohio State), plus Aaron Scott Jr. (Ohio State), and others like RB Makhi Frazier (Michigan State), OL Ethan Fields (Ole Miss). Visits resume post-dead period.
  • Outgoing: Freshman TE Jack Van Dorselaer entered portal (now predicted to Oklahoma per Crystal Ball). Backup QB Jake Merklinger committed to UConn today. More depth losses (e.g., DB Kaleb Beasley earlier this week).
  • QB Update: Still no portal QB commit. Top targets like Sam Leavitt (to LSU) and Beau Pribula (to Virginia) are gone. Optimism low on Joey Aguilar's eligibility lawsuit; Vols may ride with freshmen George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon (five-star enrollee) unless a late surprise enters before close. No strong remaining options like Husan Longstreet interest them.

Overall Status​

Tennessee ranks mid-pack in SEC portal gains (~11), behind leaders like Arkansas (33), LSU (28). Defense is bolstered for Knowles' scheme, but offense (QB, RB depth, now WR after flip) and trenches need more. With only hours left, expect a push for last-minute visitors/commits (e.g., DBs, RBs). Portal allows post-window signings if players entered by tomorrow.

Big Orange rollercoaster continues—defense looking up, but QB uncertainty looms large for 2026 bounce-back hopes. Go Vols! 🟠 If a bombshell drops tonight/tomorrow, I'll update. What's your biggest concern heading into spring?
 
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#17,488
#17,488
Volpatine said:
Quick Google search says 15 million…that’s pretty mild imo…if the Steelers want him, they’ll get him, he fits that city to a T…
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He’s 64 and has he ever coached in the NFL.
Steeler’s like to keep a coach around 15-20 years.

Don’t see it happening.
 
#17,500
#17,500
But mparker6769420 only has 400 followers!

So this basically confirms what was said day two-thred of the portal that some of you felt wasn't happening.
 
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