Tennessee’s defense is now at two departures through the NCAA transfer portal since Saturday night’s 42-17 first-round playoff loss at Ohio State that ended the season for the Volunteers.
Redshirt sophomore defensive end Jayson Jenkins, who considered leaving the program after last season, entered the portal and will have two remaining years of eligibility. The Jenkins exit was first reported by 247Sports.com.
The 6-foot-6, 281-pounder from Bordentown, New Jersey, never started on Tennessee’s deep defensive front but played in all 13 games.
Jenkins recorded a safety at Oklahoma when he tackled Sooners running back Jovantae Barnes in the end zone for a 12-3 lead in the second quarter of that eventual 25-15 victory. He had a strip sack during the 33-14 win over Mississippi State and played a season-high 28 snaps in the 56-0 rout of UTEP, tallying two tackles and sharing in a sack.
Tennessee’s first portal departure since returning from Ohio State was redshirt sophomore defensive back Christian Harrison, who was a five-game starter at the “star” position this year before being replaced by freshman Boo Carter of Chattanooga. Harrison revealed his decision Sunday on social media.