The first week of the transfer portal hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows for Tennessee. The Vols have landed some solid players, like Qua Moss and Kayin Lee, who will help the defense in 2026. Keeping running back DeSean Bishop around was huge, too, but the overarching storyline has been that Tennessee has missed on a handful of top targets, and fans are getting anxious,
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Some of that anxiety should go away with Tennessee landing Xavier Gilliam, one of the top players in the portal, regardless of position. The mauling 6'2, 300-pound defensive tackle should fit perfectly in the middle of Jim Knowles's defense.
Gilliam has been a Vol for less than a day, and he's already trying to land one of Josh Heupel's top targets. Right after he committed, Gilliam posted on X a couple of pictures with 5-star EDGE Chaz Coleman, and safety Dejuan Lane tagged him, saying, "I need my dawgs with me!!"
Xavier Gilliam wants Penn State EDGE Chaz Coleman to join him in Knoxville
This is something that Tennessee fans have gotta love. Coleman is the number one edge rusher in the Transfer Portal right now and would provide the ability to have an impact from day one in Knoxville. As a true freshman in 2025, he helped out Penn State, as most freshman linemen hardly play, let alone make good contributions.
From a purely football standpoint, the bonus about Gilliam and Coleman is that Tennessee's defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, has already coached them, so he knows their games, and they know his scheme. It's a win-win for both parties.
Coleman has a lot of big-time suitors, so it won't be easy, but I love where Tennessee stands in this recruitment right now.