Josh Heupel flipped Tennessee’s outlook on its head this offseason, bringing in 21 transfers and handing the defense to Jim Knowles for a complete reset. Many of the Vols' high-impact additions this offseason were on defense, although moves like adding Ian Duarte, Donovan Haslem, and Javin Gordon may not grab headlines now. Still, they should pay dividends for Tennessee down the line.
It's hard to pinpoint the three best additions since the Vols added so much, but let's hop into who we think Tennessee's top three transfer commitments were this offseason.
1. EDGE Chaz Coleman (Penn State)
Let's get the obvious one out of the way. Coleman is considered a five-star transfer, a top college football player, and a demon on the defensive line.
Coleman is a left tackle's nightmare. In 2025, he had a 22.1% win rate rushing the passer and a 90.3 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus. He still is young and a bit raw, but he has all the tools to be successful. In nine games as a true freshman, he had eight tackles, three TFLs, a sack, a pass defended, and a forced fumble. Not bad for a true freshman in the Big Ten.
Tennessee fans are going to love seeing Coleman deployed off the edge next fall.
2. S Dejuan Lane (Penn State)
The Penn State pipeline to Knoxville was quite generous this offseason, also bringing the Vols' safety Dejuan Lane. Tennessee fans had plenty of offseason anxiety about the secondary, but Heupel and his staff did an excellent job addressing those concerns.
Lane had a 70.4 PFF grade in 2025 and 24 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass defended. He’s a player who can step in immediately and start for Tennessee, thanks to his experience and understanding of Knowles’ scheme.
The back end needed help and the vols got a player with scheme knowledge and Power-Four experience in Lane.
3. S Qua Moss (Kansas State)
As we know, Tennessee’s biggest offseason need was shoring up the secondary, especially at safety, and the Vols answered that call with the additions of Dejuan Lane and Qua Moss. Lane was a massive addition and will likely start, but I also love Moss for a couple of reasons.
Last fall, Moss lined up all over the defense playing as the nickel, in the box, cornerback, and free safety. His versatility will be an asset for Tennessee, allowing him to play all over. Knowles loves his safeties, and he got a versatile, all-around player in Moss.
Plus, he had a 73.8 coverage grade last season from PFF, a number considered good by their standards, and he had an 11.8% missed tackle rate, a solid rate for a safety who can also cover.
Moss may not be the most glamorous pickup based on ratings and stars, but I love his versatility and what he brings to Knowles' defense.