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Tennessee CB Rickey Gibson plans to enter transfer portal, per report
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- Tennessee CB Rickey Gibson plans to enter transfer portal, per report
Tennessee football starting cornerback Rickey Gibson plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2, On3.com reported.
Gibson suffered a season-ending upper-body injury in a Week 1 win over Syracuse. He was expected to return for the Vols' 2026 seasons as a veteran starter and NFL draft prospect. Instead, it appears he'll consider playing elsewhere.
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Notably, Gibson's decision comes after defensive coordinator Tim Banks and defensive secondary coach Willie Martinez were fired, and assistant secondary coach Earnest Thomas was not retained.
It could be a massive loss for Tennessee , especially considering its recent cornerback losses.
Jermod McCoy , a 2024 All-American, suffered a torn ACL in January and missed the 2025 season. He has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. Colton Hood had an All-SEC season in 2025. But he is also headed to the NFL.
Gibson has played 26 games at Tennessee with 13 starts. He has recorded 42 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, six passes breakups and one forced fumble. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
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This is the second time that Gibson has at least flirted with the portal, according to reports.
On Feb. 25, On3.com reported that Gibson told the outlet that he planned to enter the portal. Gibson was not quoted in the report, but it appeared to stem from a negotiation over NIL compensation.
Gibson, however, reported for spring practice and never missed a workout or team activity. He was regarded as a standout player and team leader to start the 2025 season, but it was cut short due to his injury.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Rickey Gibson: Tennessee CB Rickey Gibson to enter transfer portal, per report
