KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – A handful on Tennessee football players entered the transfer portal following Christmas Day.
After four seasons at Tennessee, quarterback Gaston Moore is looking for a new home. Moore followed Josh Heupel from UCF and served as the backup quarterback in 2024.
He saw the field in critical moments this season, including during the win over Alabama, as well as against Mississippi State. The signal caller completed 5-of-8 passes against the Bulldogs, after taking over for Nico Iamaleava in the second half who left with a concussion.
Moore finished 16-of-27 for 201 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions this season.
Despite having spent five seasons in college, Moore has one year of eligibility remaining due to a COVID year as well as a redshirt season.
With Moore’s departure, redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre will compete for the backup job behind Nico Iamaleava.
Tight end Holden Staes also plans to enter the transfer portal after just one season on Rocky Top. The Notre Dame transfer caught 15 passes for 131 yards with a touchdown against North Carolina State.
Fellow tight end Miles Kitselman was originally out of eligibility after this season but now has one more year available after the court ruling for Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. It states that seasons spent at junior college no longer count against a player’s eligibility. Since Kitselman played his freshman season at a JUCO, he has one more year of eligibility remaining and could return to the Vols.
The Vols return sophomore tight end Ethan Davis and are bringing in freshmen Da’Saahn Brame and Jack Van Dorselaer.
Tennessee also lost walk-on tight end Charlie Browder to the transfer portal.
The Vols have had 10 scholarship players enter so far this offseason.