Former Tennessee Volunteers players Max Gilbert and Bennett Warren have found new homes in the NCAA Transfer Portal. Gilbert, a kicker, is heading to Arkansas, while Warren, an offensive lineman, is joining the Minnesota Golden Gophers. These two are the first former Vols to commit or sign with their new schools since the portal opened on Friday. Gilbert's kicking prowess is evident in his impressive statistics: 14-for-19 on field goals and 64-for-64 on extra points during his sophomore season. However, he faced criticism for missing a potential game-winning field goal against Georgia and subsequent misses against Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Florida, and Illinois. Warren, a redshirt freshman, was a highly-rated prospect from Sugar Land, Texas, ranked No. 135 nationally and No. 9 at offensive tackle in the state. The portal has seen a steady stream of Tennessee players seeking new opportunities, with at least 15 players entering the portal so far. This includes quarterback Jake Merklinger, cornerback Rickey Gibson, and several other notable names. Tennessee has also secured commitments from other players, such as defensive back Qua Moss from Kansas State, who had a standout season with 41 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 interception. The Volunteers are also hosting and scheduled to visit multiple top prospects, including Ory Williams, Xavier Gilliam, Tawfiq Byard, and more, as they continue to rebuild their roster.
