Tennessee Ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s Men’s Basketball Transfer Rankings

Image: Elliot Walker/Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

KNOXVILLE – With the 2026 transfer portal cycle essentially wrapped up, ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello released his men’s transfer class rankings, and a national outlet has finally placed Tennessee where it belongs. The Vols landed the No. 1 spot after a three-way battle with Louisville and conference foe Texas.

Tennessee brought in 8 total transfers this offseason, completely overhauling a roster that reached the Elite Eight in Chicago before falling to eventual national champion Michigan. The headliner of the class is Wake Forest guard Juke Harris, who averaged 21.4 points per game last season for the Demon Deacons. The Vols also added four other transfers who averaged at least 15.0 points per game at their previous stops.

“Rick Barnes clearly emphasized offense in the portal. Seven of the team’s eight incoming transfers averaged double figures at their previous schools — Harris, Ames, Haralson, Lundblade and Hill are each considered high level offensive players,” Borzello wrote. “Harris was an elite scorer last season; Ames and Hill are playmakers with the ball in their hands; Lundblade is a terrific off ball mover and shotmaker; and Haralson is highly productive inside the arc.”

Borzello also noted the defensive upside of Loyola Chicago transfer Miles Rubin, saying, “There will be a learning curve for the Vols’ newcomers on the defensive end, but Rubin has been an excellent shot blocker and rim protector for three seasons.”

Tennessee’s No. 1 ranking marks the program’s strongest transfer haul of the portal era as the Vols are eager to make the school’s first Final Four appearance in 2027.