The Tennessee Vols’ 2027 recruiting class isn’t going to be nearly as big as the program’s 2026 class.

Tennessee currently has 18 players committed to its 2027 class. The Vols could still add a few more, but they aren’t expected to get to 32 signees like they did in 2026.

As a result, there’s been speculation that this means Josh Heupel and his staff are gearing up to sign a big transfer class after the 2026 season. The theory is that fewer high school signees will equal more transfers, which is the way a lot of programs are approaching roster building these days.

That speculation increased after landing 2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges since the feeling is that Tennessee’s “championship window” will open in 2027.

But that may not actually be the plan.

Tennessee will be focusing on retention after the 2026 season

Tennessee will almost certainly add some transfers after the season, but it won’t be an all-out spending spree.

That’s because the Vols will likely need to spend big to retain key players.

“I think everybody is looking at this class that David Gabriel Georges is in that will sign in December, the 2027 class, as a small class,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will on Friday. “So a lot of fans say, ‘Well, Tennessee’s going to go big in the portal, they’re going to spend a ton of money in the portal.’

“The reality is, for Tennessee, that they’re going to spend a lot of money in retention at the end of this year. If you think what you have on your roster can play and gives you a chance to win, you’re going to spend more money on retention than you are on anything else. And fans are going to get upset in January at the portal. [They’re going to say], ‘Tennessee’s doing nothing. They’re cheap.’ But they’re not (being cheap). They’re going to have to spend real money for retention. When you look at guys who are young players that may take off this year — a sophomore defensive lineman or two — if they take off the way you need them to, you’re going to look at it and go, ‘Well, I want those guys coming back instead of spending their money in the portal for somebody new.’”

“And so the retention of this football team in December is going to be the biggest factor in what Tennessee’s 2027 expectations are going to look like,” added Hubbs.

Tennessee has a lot of young talent that they like, and if that young talent plays well in 2026, it’s going to cost a lot to keep it.

The Vols signed those players — guys such as wide receivers TK Keys, Tyreek King, Travis Smith, etc — with the idea that they can help the program win a national championship. Developing them just to lose them to the portal as they’re about to become impact players wouldn’t make sense. The same goes for players at other positions. As Hubbs said, if Heupel and his staff believe in the talent on their roster, then they’re going to have to spend to keep that talent.

Now, I’m sure there will be some tough decisions made based on how the 2026 season goes. We saw Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian admit this week that the Longhorns had to cut some players in order to bring in better talent. Tennessee will probably have to make a few of those tough decisions next offseason.

NEW: Steve Sarkisian says Texas had to let players go to create "cap space"💰

“To make the moves we make, to bring in a Cam Coleman, to bring in a Hollywood Smothers, to bring in a Raleek Brown, to bring in a Mike Masunas at tight end; we had to let DeAndre Moore go. We had to… pic.twitter.com/hdD7D7Y1FN

— On3 (@On3) July 23, 2026

Tennessee won’t ignore the portal, but they may not be as active as some fans expect.

I think it’s worth pointing out, though, that Heupel and his staff have done a really good job in the portal over the last few seasons. They may not often be in the mix for the biggest names, but the Vols make their transfer portal additions count. Most of the transfers that Tennessee brings in contribute immediately and fill a need (Colton Hood, Chris Brazzell, Joey Aguilar, Wendell Moe, Sam Pendleton, Jermod McCoy, Lance Heard, Jaxson Moi, Omarr Norman-Lott, Gabe Jeudy-Lally, just to name a few).

Heupel has earned trust with his transfer portal strategy. Fans and media just need to let him go to work this winter and trust the plan.