The Tennessee football offseason is underway, already proving to be a busy one. Tennessee has had a coaching staff shakeup and an exodus of transfer portal entrants, including the loss of Lance Heard today, their starting left tackle. I hate to say it, but it looks like the news is going to get worse for the Vols' offense.
Predicting 3 major Tennessee transfer commits coming for Josh Heupel this week
It was just announced that redshirt freshman Amari Jefferson is planning on entering the transfer portal. Tennessee landed Jefferson last offseason after he left Alabama looking for a new home. The former 4-star recruit was highly touted out of high school, but hasn't recorded any stats on Saturdays yet.
Tennessee WR Amari Jefferson is entering the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/MsaO9hHP0T
— More Important Issues (@More_Issues) January 2, 2026
Tennessee depth WR Amari Jefferson is looking for a new program
If there is one position Tennessee has a plethora of talent at, it's surely wide receiver. This still hurts though, as Tenenssee just lost a signee Legendf Bey to Ohio State. Keeping some young wideouts to learn and develop is crucial to the Heupel system moving forward.
I'm not saying hit the panic button, though. The Vols still have the SEC Freshman of the Year in Braylon Staley, who racked up 68 catches, 837 yards, and six touchdowns in 2025. The Vols are also bringing in 5-star Tristen Keys, who is ranked as the best incoming wideout in the nation according to 247Sports. Tyreek King is a 4-star wide receiver from Knoxville who will be on campus next fall, too.
Jefferson still has a lot of promise despite not playing yet. He very well could end up at another Power-Four program in a prove-it role. Either way, losing a young wide receiver hurts when the Vols have already suffered some losses at the position.
With the transfer portal officially opening Friday morning, Tennessee will probably add a young depth wide receiver to fill the void. Josh Heupel has a lot of work ahead of him, as the Tennessee football team has a lot of needs if they want to make the College Football Playoffs again.
With Jefferson leaving, Heupel will have to keep recruiting the young talent on this roster, as it will be pivotal for the program moving forward.