Tennessee gains portal commitment from former 4-star DB with SEC, ACC experience
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Tennessee has picked up several defensive backs through the transfer portal this offseason. It added another on Sunday.
Ja’Dais Richard, who just wrapped up his third season with Miami, has committed to the Volunteers. He relayed the news to On3’s Hayes Fawcett on Sunday.
Richard’s career began at Vanderbilt after he signed with the Commodores as a four-star recruit out of the class of 2022. He played in 11 games as a true freshman before entering the transfer portal and joining Miami.
During his first year with the Hurricanes in 2023, Richard finished with 14 tackles. In 2024, he posted 27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and his first career interception. His season, though, was cut short by a leg injury. In 2025, injuries limited Richard again as he played in just five games and made five tackles.
He entered the transfer portal for a second time and ultimately chose to play at Tennessee.
Richard marks the second portal commitment of the day for the Volunteers. Earlier on Sunday, Idaho State wide receiver Ian Duarte, who totaled over 1,000 combined yards over the past two seasons, pledged to the program.
Tennessee now has 20 transfer commitments during this cycle. Safeties DJ Burks (Appalachian State), Dejuan Lane (Penn State), and TJ Metcalf (Michigan) join cornerbacks Isaiah Harge (Colorado), Laylin Lee (Auburn), and Tevis Metcalf (Michigan) join Richard as the Vols’ other transfer DBs.
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.
