The Tennessee Vols will have a slightly altered roster in 2026 compared to 2025.

This offseason, Tennessee was quite active in the transfer portal, adding 21 players, which is by far the most the program has done in the portal era (the previous high was 10 in 2021).

Additionally, the Volunteers lost a number of players—28 players, to be exact—to the transfer portal.

Despite the gateway movement, Tennessee was able to prevent many important players from departing Rocky Top.

The key player Tennessee kept this offseason is named by ESPN.
Each of the top 25 preseason teams retained a major player, according to ESPN’s Max Olson this week.

For the Vols, Olson selected linebacker Arion Carter.

Carter first registered for the NFL Draft in 2026. However, Carter would not be able to take part in the NFL scouting combine and other pre-draft drills after undergoing surgery for a turf toe injury he suffered in 2025 (in both toes).

After withdrawing from the NFL Draft, the former four-star prospect entered the NCAA transfer portal, but he soon decided to return to Tennessee (using the portal was a procedural measure in case his return to Tennessee didn’t work out).

After weighing all of his options for 2026, Carter rejoined the Vols, Olson wrote. Before choosing to remain in Knoxville for his final season, the second-team All-SEC selection put his name in the transfer portal in January after declaring for the NFL draft in early December. After recording 76 tackles, six TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in 2025, he will get the chance to start for the Vols for three years and improve his draft stock with another successful season.

Carter is the lone player that at first appeared to be leaving Tennessee, but there are a number of other guys that were kept who are just as significant, like wide receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley.

With Carter rejoining Penn State transfer Amare Campbell, Jeremiah Telander, Edwin Spillman, Jadon Perlotte, and Jaedon Harmon, Tennessee’s linebacker room is brimming with talent.