Tennessee signs Notre Dame transfer offensive lineman Sam Pendleton

The Tennessee Vols have added their fourth player out of the transfer portal, with Notre Dame offensive lineman Sam Pendleton announcing Friday morning that he has signed with the Volunteers with three years remaining eligibility. 

Tennessee was involved in the Lawsonville, North Carolina native's initial recruiting process out of high school, but he ultimately chose Notre Dame over the Vols, although he was very complimentary during his on-campus visit in 2022. 

"Coach Elarbee is a great person and a great coach," Pendleton said in 2022. "He's very studied. He's a great person to talk film with. I got a chance to go over some of my film with him and some of the things he liked, and some of the things he would like to fix. Overall, he's just a really great coach and person."

Pendleton started seven games at left guard and played 12 total games at right and left guard for the Fighting Irish as a redshirt freshman. He was a key figure up front on Notre Dame's run to the College Football Playoff national championship game. 

He brings plenty of experience and success on the offensive line. He didn't give up a sack in 2024 and only allowed three quarterback hurries, six pressures, and three quarterback hits. 

That type of experience on the offensive line could be huge for Tennessee's interior as it looks to improve overall. 

Tennessee is losing a lot of experience on the offensive line so bringing in a guy like Pendleton to help with some players that don't have nearly as much experience. Pendleton has played against high-level talent and has looked impressive as a redshirt freshman. 

Pendleton is an immediate front-runner to take one of the guard spots on the offensive line as Josh Heupel looks to improve and rebuild the O-line. Regardless of where he plays, his addition is huge for Tennessee solely because it adds another body to the offensive line room.