Tennessee is not a finalist for talented transfer defender that previously played for new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles
The Tennessee Vols will have to look elsewhere for cornerback help.
The Tennessee Vols are in need of a cornerback after losing Rickey Gibson III to the NCAA transfer portal.
Gibson, who is expected to visit the Texas A&M Aggies, missed the majority of the 2025 season after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 1. He was expected to serve as one of the Vols’ starting cornerbacks in 2026.
Penn State transfer cornerback AJ Harris doesn’t have Tennessee as one of his finalists
When news first broke that Gibson was heading to the portal, Penn State transfer cornerback AJ Harris was immediately mentioned as a potential replacement, due in large part to his previous experience in new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ defense (Harris played under Knowles at Penn State in 2025).
Harris, however, is down to three schools, and Tennessee isn’t one of them.
According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong, Indiana, Missouri, and Oregon are the final three schools for Harris.
It’s unclear if Harris wasn’t interested in Tennessee or if Knowles wasn’t interested in Harris. Either way, the talented cornerback won’t be playing for the Volunteers next fall.
Tennessee, though, still needs to add a transfer cornerback.
Troy transfer cornerback Jaquez White appears to be the Vols’ top transfer cornerback target at this point.
White, who recently took a visit to Tennessee, is expected to make a decision in the coming days.
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