Former Tennessee LB Jalen Smith announces commitment out of NCAA Transfer Portal
Former Tennessee linebacker Jalen Smith is headed to Mississippi State. Smith announced his commitment to the Bulldogs out of the NCAA Transfer Portal on Thursday and is the third former Tennessee player to commit to a new school.
On Wednesday former Tennessee wide receiver Kaleb Webb flipped his commitment from Wake Forest to Maryland and defensive back Jordan Matthews committed to Vanderbilt.
Smith played in all 12 games during the regular season, finishing with 34.0 tackles, with 13 solo and 21 assists, and had 1.5 tackles for loss. He had a career-high nine tackles against Kentucky on November 2 and five tackles against UTEP, including 1.5 tackles for loss. He had four tackles against Chattanooga and Florida.
Smith was a three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. He was ranked No. 432 overall nationally, No. 42 at linebacker and No. 44 in the state of Georgia, out of Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga. He picked the Vols over Pitt, Georgia Tech and Duke, among others.
Vols have added one player from NCAA Transfer Portal so far
Arizona offensive lineman Wendell Moe on Wednesday became Tennessee’s first addition out of the NCAA Transfer Portal during this portal window.
Moe appeared in all 13 games on Arizona’s offensive line during the 2023 season, part of an offense that finished 20th in total offense (448.0), eighth in passing offense (308.3) and 18th in scoring offense in the nation (34.6 ppg).
Moe made three starts and appeared in four games as a freshman at Arizona in 2022. He played at Long Beach Poly High School. Moe was a three-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class.
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Tennessee players in NCAA Transfer Portal won’t play for Vols in playoff
Other Tennessee players that have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal so far include receivers Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod and Nathan Leacock, freshman linebacker Jalen Smith, redshirt freshman defensive back Jordan Matthews, sophomore running back Khalifa Keith and freshman offensive lineman Vysen Lang.
Webb initially committed to Wake Forest last week, but after the retirement of Wake coach Dave Clawson, he switched his commitment to Maryland. Matthews also announced his commitment to Vanderbilt on Wednesday.
Head coach Josh Heupel said on Monday that Tennessee players that have or are entering the portal will not play for the Vols at Ohio State Saturday night in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC/ESPN.
Tennessee last offseason lost 13 players to the NCAA Transfer Portal and added 10 players out of the portal, including tight ends Miles Kitsleman (Alabama) and Holden Staes (Notre Dame) and defensive backs Jermod McCoy (Oregon State) and Jalen McMurray (Temple). The Vols also added Lance Heard (LSU) at offensive tackle and Jaxson Moi (Stanford) on the defensive line.
