Tennessee football has always been in the headlines, and it’s not all about what’s occurring on the gridiron. Yes, Nico Iamaleava‘s transfer to UCLA captured eyes, but it’s merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg. From spring ball through summer conditioning and all the off-season talk, the Vols’ roster has been more active than a Nashville coffeehouse on a Saturday afternoon. With the transfer portal available, players are scrolling, considering options, and sometimes ghosting programs like it’s a text conversation, keeping coaches guessing and fans perpetually speculating.

And it’s not only the current squad dipping their toes into the portal pool; older Vols keep cropping up there, too. Some are pursuing more minutes, others want a good fit, and a few are just pursuing the NIL bag. The portal is sort of like a buffet for football programs, lots of choices, but too many choices spoil things quickly.

Enter Nate Spillman. The former Tennessee and Charlotte receiver has now officially landed with Austin Peay State University, an FCS program looking to add veteran experience and talent. Spillman, standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 200 pounds, receiver from Nashville, Tennessee, who previously played at the University of Tennessee and then transferred to Charlotte. After spending some time with the 49ers, he entered the transfer portal again in July 2025 and decided Austin Peay would be the place for him to continue his football career.

Austin may not have shown what kind of ability he has, since he was named in four games in the previous season for Tennessee but couldn’t play, but his presence will surely boost Austin Peay’s receiving corps. While his stats at Tennessee and Charlotte were modest, his size, hands, and experience make him a threat at the FCS level. Moreover, his journey demonstrates resilience, as he navigates multiple programs while keeping his eyes on the field. And according to reports, coaches at Austin Peay are excited about what he brings, and fans are eager to see him make an impact

Spillman’s been in a SEC program’s dressing room for a season, and it’s enough to learn not much but enough to share that knowledge at Austin Peay. As the 2025 season kicks off, all eyes will be on how he adapts and contributes, and whether he can help the Governors climb higher in FCS football. And while the portal keeps the spotlight on current and former Vols, the 2024 season’s end saw some of the program’s top receivers decide it was time to explore new opportunities.

Tennessee sees big names exit after 2024 season

Even after a solid 10-3 2024 season, Tennessee’s receiving room saw a huge shake-up. Players like Squirrel White, Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod, Nathan Leacock, and, of course, Nate Spillman all opted to enter the transfer portal this offseason, which left some big holes in the Volunteers’ offensive scheme. They each provided flashes of potential on the field, whether it was White’s explosive route running, Webb’s sure hands, or Leacock’s ability to find open space. Their exits mean that there is now a need to not only consider who will fill the stat sheets, but also who can continue to develop chemistry with the quarterback and learn to fit into head coach Josh Heupel’s high-tempo offense.

And just when we bring up the quarterback conversation, Nico’s name pops up automatically. After a magnificent season with Tennessee in 2024, the star QB transferred to UCLA on April 21, which was called the biggest off-season controversy of the season. However, many analysts commented that it’s a bigger loss for Nico himself than the Volunteers.

This series of departures really highlights a bigger picture. Yes, it adds new recruits and names to their roster, but it also keeps coaches on their toes, trying to hang on to the players they already love while figuring out who’s going to step up next. While Tennessee fans are proud of the team’s 10-3 season, the offseason can feel like a game of musical chairs for Volunteers fans; just when you think that the players are where they should be, someone jumps up and you are waiting to re-recruit someone else in the same position.