Tennessee linebacker Kalib Perry plans to enter the transfer portal, On3’s Pete Nakos reported on Monday afternoon.
Perry was a rotational inside linebacker in his three seasons at Tennessee combining for 61 tackles and one forced fumble. His best season came in 2024 when Perry totaled 26 tackles and a forced fumble.
The Kentucky native was a backup inside linebacker and also played in third-and-long packages along with Jalen Smith. Perry was a part of that third down package in both the 2023 and 2024 season but saw his role expand as an every down linebacker in his junior season.
Perry posted a 65.5 PFF grade in 234 snaps during his junior season. He graded out as the third-best linebacker on Tennessee’s roster behind Smith and Keenan Pili but ahead of Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander.
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound linebacker remained healthy throughout his Tennessee career with the North Carolina State game being the only one he missed during the 2024 season.
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With Perry out of the fold heading into the 2025 season, Telander and Smith look poised to continue their roles as Tennessee’s starting linebackers. Freshman Edwin Spillman spent much of his first season on Rocky Top banged up with injury but will have an increased role heading into his sophomore season.
Tennessee also has rising sophomore Jordan Burns at the linebacker position and signed four solid prospects in the 2025 recruiting class: four-star LB Christian Gass, four-star LB Jadon Perlotte, four-star LB Jaedon Harmon, and three-star LB Brenden Anes.
Carter and Telander will serve as the veteran players in the room with a load of young talent for assistant coach William Inge to work with. Tennessee linebacker Jalen Smith is not in that group as he hit the portal in early December.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennesee football recruiting news and notes.
