Tennessee has received its fourth addition from the NCAA transfer portal since the end of the 2024 football season, with former Notre Dame offensive linemen Sam Pendleton committing Friday to Josh Heupel’s Volunteers.
The Fighting Irish lost 34-23 to Ohio State in Monday night’s championship game of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Pendleton entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, took an immediate official visit to Tennessee and revealed his announcement on social media.
“What a great ride I’ve had over the last two years!” Pendleton posted. “As I step into this next chapter, I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. I would like to thank Coach Heupel and his staff for being so welcoming.
“Let’s get to work! Go Vols!”
The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder from Lawsonville, North Carolina, started the first seven games this past season at left guard as a redshirt freshman, so he will have three years of eligibility with the Vols. He was a four-star prospect in the 2023 signing cycle, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings, checking in as the nation’s No. 27 interior offensive lineman.
Pendleton joins former Arizona guard Wendell Moe Jr., former Duke running back Star Thomas and former Alabama receiver Amari Jefferson as Tennessee’s portal acquisitions since its 10-3 season ended Dec. 21 with a College Football Playoff first-round loss at Ohio State. Jefferson redshirted this past season after signing with the Crimson Tide out of Baylor School.
Tennessee is having to focus on its offensive line following the out-of-eligibility departures of center Cooper Mays, right guard Javontez Spraggins and right tackle John Campbell Jr. Left guard Andrej Karic was a fifth-year senior but has applied to the NCAA for a medical redshirt after playing five games with the Vols in 2023 before a season-ending injury.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.