The Tennessee Volunteers are staying active in the transfer portal, continuing to fine-tune their roster ahead of the 2025 season. In their latest move, the Vols have landed defensive lineman Josh Schell from Grand Valley State. Schell, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound lineman, made a name for himself at the Division II level with his explosiveness off the edge and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. His arrival adds depth and experience to Tennessee’s defensive line room, which has been a key area of focus this offseason.
Schell joins a growing list of portal additions for head coach Josh Heupel, who is looking to bolster a defense that showed flashes of potential last season but struggled with consistency. The coaching staff believes Schell’s motor and physicality can translate well to SEC competition, especially in rotational pass-rush packages.
On the other side of the portal activity, safety Jakobe Thomas has officially entered his name and is expected to begin visits with multiple ACC programs this week. Thomas, who provided valuable depth and special teams contributions for the Vols, is seeking a larger role elsewhere. While his departure opens up a spot in the secondary, it also presents an opportunity for younger players to step up this spring and summer.
Tennessee’s staff remains active in both recruiting and the portal as they aim to build a balanced and competitive roster for a highly anticipated 2025 campaign.
