The Tennessee basketball roster is starting to come together, but the Vols still appear to be searching for one more backup center to round things out. Tennessee has loaded up on talented guards with additions like Juke Harris, Dai Dai Ames, and Terrence Hill Jr., but the frontcourt hasn’t seen many additions since Miles Rubin and Braeden Lue joined the roster.
Rick Barnes gave Tennessee a unique advantage in Juke Harris recruitment
That said, Rick Barnes tried to land 7-foot-1 center Favour Ibe in the 2026 class, but Tennessee ultimately lost out to Virginia in the battle for him. Now, Barnes and the Vols are back searching for answers with a new target emerging on the board.
But here’s where Tennessee fans will perk up, per Ben McKee of 247Sports, Rick Barnes and the Vols are hosting former VCU big man Christian Fermin, a 6-foot-10, 225-pound forward with one more year of eligibility left.
Tennessee basketball is hosting VCU transfer forward Christian Fermin on a visit today.https://t.co/8nRvUvM8ww
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) May 13, 2026
Tennessee is targeting VCU big man Christian Fermin
Fermin played in only four games last season after taking a leave of absence from the VCU program due to a personal matter. However, as a junior, he posted a solid stat line of 4.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. While he may not be the most skilled offensive forward, he fits exactly what Tennessee needs from a backup big man. He can play solid team defense, protect the rim, and rebound effectively.
If Tennessee were to land Fermin, it may not be the flashiest addition, but it would still be a solid one. The Vols have already invested a massive amount of money into this roster, reportedly upwards of $20 million, so they likely aren’t looking to overspend on someone projected to be the fourth big man in the rotation behind Dwayne Brown II, Miles Rubin, and Braeden Lue. Plus, Rick Barnes has made it clear this team is expected to lean more on guard play rather than playing through the post like last year’s group.
That’s not saying Fermin is a bad player, because he definitely isn’t. In fact, his skill set fills a real need for this roster. But you can already see some fans complaining that Tennessee didn’t go out and land another flashy five-star player, even though the budget just doesn’t really allow for that anymore. And honestly, what elite five-star big is going to willingly come in to play 10 minutes a game? Fermin understands what his role would be on this team, and that kind of fit can still help Tennessee make a Final Four push. A rebounding rim runner who plays good defense is just what Tennessee is looking for, so it's a win-win situation for both parties. Fermin gets to join a national title contender, and the Vols complete their roster with an addition they need.
Hopefully, Rick Barnes and the staff can get the deal done so Tennessee can officially finalize the roster and fully turn its focus toward making a national title run. This team could have what it takes.
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