Josh Heupel and the Tennessee football staff have been working their tail off in the Transfer Portal. The Vols have been recruiting relentlessly, looking to add high-end talent to the roster for the 2026 campaign. Heupel has brought in Jim Knowles to elevate the defense, a unit that struggled throughout 2025.
Who's leaving and who's joining: Tennessee football's 2026 Transfer Portal tracker
The Vols have plenty of needs to address in the transfer portal, most of them on the defensive side of the ball, and it looks like Heupel has already checked off his first box. On3's Hayes Fawcett has reported that Qua Moss, a former Kansas State safety, has committed to Tennessee today.
BREAKING: Kansas State transfer safety Qua Moss has Committed to Tennessee, his agent tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 4, 2026
This season he totaled 41 tackles, 2 INT, 1 FF, and 1 sack
He’s repped by @david_benzaken and @IanGrutman https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/kTTOyc7G54
Tennessee lands Safety Qua Moss from the Transfer Portal
Landing a top Transfer Portal safety just two days into the portal being open is a huge win for Tennessee. The Vols got Moss on campus as soon as possible, and they were able to seal the deal before he could visit any other schools.
Moss is a safety who can also slide in at nickel in a hybrid role. In 2025, Moss had 40 tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and two sacks. Pro Football Focus had Moss at a 73.8 coverage grade last fall with the Wildcats.
One thing that Jim Knowles will love about Moss is his versatility, as he lined up all over the place at Kansas State. According to PFF, he lined up in the slot, the box, cornerback, free safety, and even defensive line. Knowles will be able to deploy Moss all over the field next fall and utilize this.
Moss will now join Edrees Farooq on the back end in 2026. Tennessee will still likely add another safety before the portal wraps up. Colorado safety Tawifiq Byard, the number two safety in the portal, is visiting soon. The Vols will aggressively push him, too.
Getting the first one is always the hardest, and now Tennessee can build off this momentum. They still have plenty of work left to do, but Heupel and the staff are off to a great start.