Tennessee football has done a great job all offseason locking up young talent. Sure, they did lose Jordan Ross and a few other up-and-comers, but for the most part, Josh Heupel kept Tennessee's core in Knoxville, giving him a nice foundation to build around next fall.
Tennessee’s QB room still feels the impact of Nico Iamaleava’s spring exit
Plus, Tennessee hasn't had much attrition on offense, but that looks like it will change. Pete Nakos of On3 has reported that Tennessee's Jack Van Dorselaer has entered the Transfer Portal. He is now the 27th Tennessee player to enter the portal, and is the first Vols tight end to do so.
NEW: Tennessee TE Jack Van Dorselaer has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos reports
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 14, 2026
Former 4-star recruit in the 2025 class.https://t.co/JA7NsiRoPT pic.twitter.com/CNJJJGSfUk
What it means for Josh Heupel now that TE Jack Van Dorselear is leaving
Tennessee will now have to replenish the depth at tight end with Van Dorselaer leaving. He was a former 4-star recruit who had offers from all of the nation's powerhouse schools, like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, USC, Oklahoma, and 21 others.
It's too bad we won't be able to see Van Dorselaer grow in Knoxville. Tight end has a significant learning curve from high school to college. Adjusting to the physicality of the college game and being able to handle running, blocking, and catching takes time for many young tight ends.
Van Dorselaer had five receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman last year. He was expected to be the backup tight end next fall behind Ethan Davis, but clearly, plans have changed.
Josh Heupel will look to add another tight end in the coming days. Behind Davis, the only scholarship tight end is former top-100 recruit DaSaahn Brame. Pearce Spurlin III, a Georgia Bulldog, is expected to be on campus soon. Spurlin is a monster target at 6-foot-7, 230 pounds. He has three career catches for 60 yards. Spurlin stepped away from football with a medical issue, but he has been cleared to play. If Tennessee can land the former 5th-ranked tight end, according to 247Sports, they will have solid room behind Davis. New Florida head coach Jon Sumrall is also going after Spurlin, so the Vols do have some SEC competition to go up against.
This looks to be the backup plan, and now the Vols staff has to execute. Spring ball is right around the corner, so Josh Heupel will have to finish out the portal class soon.