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West Virginia offensive lineman Donovan Haslam will transfer to Tennessee football, giving the Vols depth up front.
Haslam announced his decision on social media.
"Committed. 100% locked in. Proud to announce my commitment to the University of Tennessee. Let’s work," Haslam said in a post on X.
Haslam, a native of Perry, Georgia, spent his first three years at Austin Peay. He was a part-time starter at West Virginia in the 2025 season. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-3, 346-pounder played 11 games, including five starts, at West Virginia. Haslam mostly played at the two guard spots and occasionally tackle. He logged 486 snaps, including 444 on offense, according to Pro Football Focus.
Haslam redshirted in 2022, served as a backup in 2023 and started at left tackle at Austin Peay in 2024. His play earned a step up to West Virginia via the transfer portal, and now he's utilized it again to play in the SEC.
Tennessee has added 11 players from the portal: Haslam, Michigan safety/nickelback TJ Metcalf, Tulane edge rusher Jordan Norman, Kansas State safety Qua Moss, LSU offensive tackle Ory Williams, Auburn cornerback Kayin Lee and Louisville kicker Cooper Ranvier. The Vols also got defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, linebacker Amare Campbell, edge rusher Chaz Coleman and safety Dejuan Lane, all out of Penn State.
Tennessee lost five offensive linemen to the portal, but only one starter. The Vols return five offensive linemen who started during the 2025 season, so they need depth. Haslam could provide that, likely as a guard.
UT lost All-SEC left tackle Lance Heard (Kentucky), backup tackle Bennett Warren (Minnesota), center/guard William Satterwhite (LSU), center/guard Max Anderson (Kentucky), tackle Brian Grant to the portal.
David Sanders, a former five-star recruit, is expected to move from right tackle to left tackle. Jesse Perry started seven games at right tackle and four games at right guard, and he could play either position in 2026. UT also returns center Sam Pendleton and All-SEC guard Wendell Moe, along with part-time starting guard Sham Umarov.
Haslam likely will compete as a backup at either guard spot, where his size and experience could be useful.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Donovan Haslam: Tennessee football adds West Virginia lineman from portal
Continue reading...
Haslam announced his decision on social media.
"Committed. 100% locked in. Proud to announce my commitment to the University of Tennessee. Let’s work," Haslam said in a post on X.
Haslam, a native of Perry, Georgia, spent his first three years at Austin Peay. He was a part-time starter at West Virginia in the 2025 season. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-3, 346-pounder played 11 games, including five starts, at West Virginia. Haslam mostly played at the two guard spots and occasionally tackle. He logged 486 snaps, including 444 on offense, according to Pro Football Focus.
Haslam redshirted in 2022, served as a backup in 2023 and started at left tackle at Austin Peay in 2024. His play earned a step up to West Virginia via the transfer portal, and now he's utilized it again to play in the SEC.
Tennessee has added 11 players from the portal: Haslam, Michigan safety/nickelback TJ Metcalf, Tulane edge rusher Jordan Norman, Kansas State safety Qua Moss, LSU offensive tackle Ory Williams, Auburn cornerback Kayin Lee and Louisville kicker Cooper Ranvier. The Vols also got defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, linebacker Amare Campbell, edge rusher Chaz Coleman and safety Dejuan Lane, all out of Penn State.
Where Donovan Haslam fits on Tennessee football depth chart
Tennessee lost five offensive linemen to the portal, but only one starter. The Vols return five offensive linemen who started during the 2025 season, so they need depth. Haslam could provide that, likely as a guard.
UT lost All-SEC left tackle Lance Heard (Kentucky), backup tackle Bennett Warren (Minnesota), center/guard William Satterwhite (LSU), center/guard Max Anderson (Kentucky), tackle Brian Grant to the portal.
David Sanders, a former five-star recruit, is expected to move from right tackle to left tackle. Jesse Perry started seven games at right tackle and four games at right guard, and he could play either position in 2026. UT also returns center Sam Pendleton and All-SEC guard Wendell Moe, along with part-time starting guard Sham Umarov.
Haslam likely will compete as a backup at either guard spot, where his size and experience could be useful.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Donovan Haslam: Tennessee football adds West Virginia lineman from portal
Continue reading...
