Tennessee defensive end Jayson Jenkins plans on entering the transfer portal, ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported on Monday afternoon.
Jenkins was a part of a deep Tennessee defensive line rotation during the 2024 season, totaling nine tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble. The 6-foot-6, 281-pound defensive end totaled 214 snaps over the course of the season.
The Bordertown, New Jersey native was Tennessee’s third string defensive end behind Dominic Bailey and Tyre West. Jenkins was a part of the rotation all season and made one of the big plays in the 2024 season, making a tackle for loss and a safety in Tennessee’s win at Oklahoma.
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Jenkins briefly entered the transfer portal last offseason before deciding to return to Knoxville for his redshirt sophomore season.
Losing Jenkins is a blow for Tennessee’s defensive line but shouldn’t be crushing. West will be back for his senior season and Dominic Bailey has one extra year of eligibility that he could opt to use. Underclassmen defensive end Tyree Weathersby could step up into the rotation spot that Jenkins’ departure opens.
Jenkins is the ninth scholarship player that Tennessee has lost to the transfer portal this month and the second player to enter the portal after the Vols’ season came to an end against Ohio State on Saturday night. Stay up to date with all of Tennessee football’s roster movement with the RTI transfer tracker here.
