BREAKING: After spring football, Tennessee adds key linebacker from transfer portal to complement Joey Aguilar’s offense and strengthen Jim Knowles’ defense
The Tennessee Volunteers continue to reshape their roster following spring football and a competitive 2025 season. In a notable move, head coach Josh Heupel and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles secured a major addition to the linebacker corps by landing former Penn State standout Amare Campbell from the NCAA transfer portal — a signing that immediately elevates Tennessee’s defensive front and offers veteran leadership for a unit in transition. ([wbir.com][1])
Campbell, a proven force against the run and a tackling machine in the Big Ten, led Penn State with 103 tackles in 2025 and brings a wealth of experience into the Volunteer defense. The 6‑foot, 230‑pound linebacker originally began his collegiate career at North Carolina before transferring to Penn State for the 2025 season, where he became one of the most productive defenders in the league. His ability to diagnose plays, make tackles near the line of scrimmage, and support in coverage gives Tennessee a versatile piece in Jim Knowles’ scheme. ([247Sports][2])
Tennessee’s pursuit of linebacker help came amid a swirl of offseason movement. All‑SEC linebacker Arion Carter, a veteran leader for the Volunteers, initially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and later entered the transfer portal after withdrawing from the draft process due to injury concerns. That sequence briefly raised questions about the future of Tennessee’s linebacker depth. ([Yahoo Sports][3])
However, in a dramatic turn, Carter has since reversed course and will return to Tennessee for the 2026 season, choosing to stay with the Volunteers despite his brief portal entry. His return adds a continuity and high‑end talent to a unit that now blends experienced returners with portal additions like Campbell. ([247Sports][4])
The combination of Carter and Campbell gives Tennessee a formidable inside linebacker tandem as the Volunteers look to improve defensively in 2026 following an 8–5 finish in 2025. Knowles, who arrived in Knoxville after a successful stint coaching at Penn State, has emphasized physicality and discipline, and Campbell’s familiarity with his system should accelerate defensive cohesion. ([Athlon Sports][5])
Defensive observers view Campbell’s signing as one of the most impactful portal additions of the offseason for Tennessee, especially on a roster that also saw activity across other positions to supplement both sides of the ball. The Volunteers have aggressively pursued talent to address departures and areas of need, adding portal players to bolster depth and experience. ([247Sports][6])
On the offensive side, Tennessee’s quarterback room continues to be a focal point of discussion. Joey Aguilar, who transferred from UCLA and stepped into the starting role for the Volunteers in 2025, remains a central figure in the offensive unit heading into the next season. The additions on defense, particularly at linebacker, aim to give Aguilar and the offense more support by stabilizing the other side of the ball. ([University of Tennessee Athletics][7])
As spring transitions into summer workouts and the countdown to the 2026 campaign begins, Tennessee appears to be building a more balanced roster — one that can compete in a challenging SEC slate while addressing key strategic needs through the transfer portal and internal development.