The Tennessee Vols have a new transfer portal need that popped up over the weekend.

News broke on Sunday that Vols sophomore running back Peyton Lewis is planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2.

With Lewis looking for a new home, and senior running back Star Thomas set to move on after the Music City Bowl (Thomas is out of eligibility), it leaves redshirt sophomore DeSean Bishop and true freshman Daune Morris as Tennessee’s top two running back options entering the offseason.

It’s also worth pointing out that Tennessee didn’t sign a running back during the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Vols insider says Tennessee needs to get an experienced transfer running back

VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs said on The Big Orange Rewind on Sunday that Tennessee will need to target a running back in the transfer portal next month.

“I think you have to go get somebody experienced in the portal,” said Hubbs. “Obviously, they clearly like Daune Morris, and where Daune Morris is at and kind of his progression. You saw him get more work in the back half of the season – certainly in the last month of the season. I would think he would factor into things in the bowl game for them as well.

“But I think there’s no doubt you’re looking to go into the portal and get a back to go with Morris and DeSean Bishop and go that way. The question is what caliber of back do you get? What’s your financial allotment for a running back out of the portal?”

“I would think they would be portal hunting for a running back,” continued Hubbs. “Someone who’s got experience. I don’t think you’re going to go looking for a redshirt guy who’s coming in with three years of eligibility. I think you’re looking for a one-year guy….You’re looking for [someone like] Star Thomas, who can come in and be a complement to what you have. And then it doesn’t affect your future recruiting as well. So I think you’re looking for a stopgap guy for depth purposes.

“Quite frankly, it would not hurt to look for a guy with with quality hands that could [come] out of the backfield, in terms of a pass catcher, as well. I think we see that more and more in the game these days — whether it’s the college game or the NFL game. So many of these teams are playing that balloon coverage, dropping the safeties deep. [Teams are] patient, throwing it underneath. There’s a lot of stuff available to tight ends and to the tailbacks out of the backfield. Tennessee tried to throw it more to the tailbacks this year out of the backfield. They didn’t catch it well enough. That’s something that has to improve moving forward if they’re going to continue to try to build on that element of their offense.”

It’ll be interesting to see if the Vols follow Hubbs’ advice and look to add a complementary running back from the portal, or if they choose to target one of the top options available that can challenge Bishop for Tennessee’s lead running back role.

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