Is Tennessee football about to land another offensive lineman? All signs point to yes, as things are moving quickly with Notre Dame guard Sam Pendleton, who entered the transfer portal on Wednesday.
Pendleton, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound lineman, started seven games for the Fighting Irish in 2024. However, he lost his starting spot midway through the season and didn’t see the field in Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff games against Georgia, Penn State, and Ohio State.
For Tennessee, this could be a golden opportunity. According to Volquest’s Austin Price, Pendleton is scheduled to visit Knoxville for an official visit starting Thursday. Adding fuel to the fire, On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Pendleton entered the portal with a “no contact” tag, meaning he likely already knows where he wants to land—and Tennessee appears to be at the top of his list.
With three years of eligibility remaining, Pendleton could provide a major boost to the Vols’ offensive line, especially with key players like Cooper Mays not returning next season. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has made bolstering the offensive line a priority, and the addition of Pendleton would follow another big signing earlier this winter. Arizona transfer Wendell Moe Jr., an interior lineman, has already committed to Tennessee for the 2025 season, giving the Vols some much-needed experience up front.
Pendleton’s quick scheduling of a visit to Knoxville, combined with his no-contact status in the portal, suggests that a decision could come sooner rather than later. Could he join Moe as another key addition to Tennessee’s offensive line? Stay tuned, as it looks like the Vols might be closing in on another major pickup.
