Tennessee secures pledge from promising RB in transfer portal
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Tennessee will have DeSean Bishop in its backfield in 2026 as the Volunteers’ leading rusher will return to Rocky Top for at least one more season. The Vols, though, were in search of another RB option to sit behind Bishop and Star Thomas after Peyton Lewis transferred to Virginia.
They may have found it in Javin Gordon.
Gordon, who was a member of Tulane’s 2025 recruiting class and enjoyed a solid true freshman campaign, committed to Tennessee out of the transfer portal on Saturday, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
Gordon emerged as the Green Wave’s third leading rusher in his first year at the college level. He totaled 128 yards for 516 yards and five touchdowns while adding a receiving TD. That included an 80-yard performance against South Alabama.
After Jon Sumrall left Tulane for Florida, Gordon entered the transfer portal, ultimately pledging to Tennessee on Saturday.
It has been a busy day for the Vols. The program has brought in offensive lineman Donovan Haslam (West Virginia) and defensive back Tevis Metcalf (Michigan). Tight end Trent Thomas (South Alabama) has also committed.
Meanwhile, Gordon won’t face his former coach in 2026. The next time the Volunteers and Gators will meet will be in 2027.
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.
