Tennessee football, Josh Heupel make first transfer portal addition for 2026 roster

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Tennessee football has landed its first transfer portal commitment of 2026 in Kansas State safety Qua Moss.

Moss, who announced his commitment on social media Jan. 4, is a key addition for the Vols' defense, which was a weakness in 2025. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has already made significant changes to his defensive staff, and now he's secured his first defensive commitment out of the portal.

Moss is ranked as the No. 27 safety in the transfer portal by 247Sports. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound safety started his career at Dodge Community College before transferring to West Georgia. In his lone season with Kansas State, Moss recorded 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Heupel reshaped his defensive staff after a lackluster season for Tennessee's defense. He fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks and secondary coach Willie Martinez, and outside linebacker coach Levorn Harbin will no longer be part of the on-field coaching staff.

Heupel hired former Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, former Penn State co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter (co-defensive coordinator/secondary), former Penn State assistant Andrew Jackson (cornerbacks) and former Ohio State assistant Michael Hunter Jr. (edge rushers). Heupel retained defensive line coach Rodney Garner and linebackers coach William Inge.

The Vols have seen 21 players enter the transfer portal after Tennessee posted an 8-5 record this season, which ended with a 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football lands Qua Moss of Kansas State in transfer portal

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos