Tennessee
Transfer Portal: Tennessee linked to UNLV QB Anthony Colandrea
A new name has surfaced in Tennessee’s search for a quarterback out of the transfer portal. Anthony Colandrea, who announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Friday, could be an option for the Volunteers.
Tennessee, of course, is waiting on a legal answer from the Diego Pavia lawsuit that Joey Aguilar has joined. However, as things inch closer to the transfer portal opening up on January 2nd, it’s feeling more and more like Tennessee won’t get the answer they’re seeking in time. That’s going to force Josh Heupel’s hand, likely moving in a different direction at quarterback for the 2026 season.
Tennessee has also been linked to Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby and TCU quarterback Josh Hoover. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Colandrea is another name to follow closely.
“Sources have told On3 that UNLV transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea is expected to command significant Power Four interest,” Nakos reported on Saturday. “While Florida State has started to surface, sources have cautioned that other schools are heavily in the mix. Keep an eye on Tennessee, too.”
Following the exit of Jake Merklinger, Tennessee is left with two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster — redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon, who is the No. 2 overall player in the class of 2026. Tennessee will be forced to add a third arm to that room in some form or fashion.
Colandrea is coming off of a huge season for UNLV, playing under Dan Mullen. The 6-0, 205 pound quarterback threw for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns this year for the Rebels. He ran for another 649, scoring ten times on the ground. Colandrea spent his first two seasons at Virginia.
Tennessee is clearly evaluating the arms from this portal group as they decide which direction to go. Jim Knowles has plenty of holes that he’s going to have to plug for his year one defense, notably in the secondary and up front on the defensive line. Obviously how much they spend at the quarterback position will go a long way in determining what they can add defensively.
Colandrea may not command as much cash as some of the other top names in the portal, so this could be a nice happy medium for Heupel and company. We’ll see what other names surface over the next several days as the giant game of musical quarterbacks gets underway.
Tennessee
Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target
The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.
The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.
The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.
Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.
Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.
Jaquez White’s 2025 Season
“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”
More Vols News
Tennessee
Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal
Tennessee defensive lineman Josh Schell has entered the transfer portal, he announced on social media on Jan. 6.
Schell had a short stint at Tennessee after transferring from Grand Valley State in April. He played all 13 games and made one tackle in the 2025 season.
Schell played more than 100 snaps, mostly on special teams. He never cracked the rotation on the defensive line.
Schell spent three seasons at Grand Valley State, including a redshirt year, and one season at Tennessee. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is from Camden, New Jersey. His best college season was 2024 at Grand Valley State, when he played 13 games and recorded 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
He was also a pitcher on the Grand Valley State baseball game in the 2023 season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape
The Tennessee Titans’ search for their next head coach is coming into focus, and the initial interview phase is in full swing.
Following the news that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would be having a first virtual interview on Thursday, the dates and times for some interviews for other candidates have come out.
Multiple reports on social media indicate that Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will meet with Mike Borgonzi on Wednesday, followed by Nagy on Thursday. The team will then follow that up by meeting with former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Monday.
Tennessee will also meet with interim head coach Mike McCoy, and is rumored to have interest in former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
It’s an ever-changing process in Nashville. Stay up to date with all the coaching search news with us here at Titans Wire, and please sound off with your thoughts.
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