Tennessee adds another defensive transfer from Penn State
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Tennessee has built quite a transfer pipeline from Penn State. The Volunteers have now received portal commitments from four former Nittany Lions players.
The latest one came in on Saturday afternoon, as defensive back Dejuan Lane reportedly signed with Tennessee. The news was reported by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer.
Lane, from Baltimore, was a high school class of 2024 commitment for Penn State and was considered a four-star recruit. He played in all 16 games for the Nittany Lions as a true freshman as they advanced to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. He recorded 14 tackles and added an interception that season.
In 2025, Lane saw time in all 13 of Penn State’s games, starting three. He ended the year with 30 tackles, 1.0 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for a loss. That ended up being his final season in Happy Valley before he entered the portal.
Lane won’t have far to look in Knoxville to find familiar faces. On Thursday, his former Penn State teammate, Xavier Gilliam, committed. On Friday, linebacker Amare Campbell joined them. Then, on Saturday, edge rusher Chaz Coleman pledged, followed by Lane.
All told, the Vols have landed a total of eight players from the transfer portal this cycle.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
